“Don’t frighten him,” she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears of pleasure.

All the afternoon the tourists wandered through the wide courts where were armies of stone lanterns placed in exactly the right spots.  They passed softly flowing fountains wherein the worshippers washed themselves and climbed stately stairs by fern-set walls.  Court within court they entered adorned with magnificent paintings and carvings of marvelous workmanship.  They walked through the great hall of books where scrolls of immense value are kept, each swathed in silk and lying in its own lacquer box.  At last dazzled and silenced by the succession of magic courts, they returned to the outer world of the living, and climbed into the motor car.

“Before we go home, don’t you think we had better inquire for Mme. Fontaine?” Billie suggested.

Miss Campbell assented.  So long as they did not go in, she was quite willing.

They found the gate of the Widow of Shanghai’s garden stretched wide open; a jinriksha was about to pass into the street.  A Japanese lady in a rich costume was the occupant.  She exchanged one swift glance with Billie and quickly looked the other way.  Billie started slightly.  She felt uncomfortable.  It seemed to her that she had been looking straight into the eyes of Mme. Fontaine.

“Did you notice,” said Mary, “that the Japanese lady in the ’riksha wore her arm in a sling?”

No, they had not noticed it, but there was nothing remarkable in that.  No one even commented on the fact, while they waited for Komatsu to inquire and leave their cards.

“Mme. Fontaine was still very much indisposed,” the message came back, “but she would be glad if the ladies would enter and have some refreshment.  She regretted she would not be able to see them herself.”

The ladies would not enter, however, as it was nearing the hour when Mr. Campbell would return and expect to find them in the garden waiting tea, and the “Comet” bore them swiftly home.

CHAPTER XII.

A THEATER PARTY.

“It’s very easy for a bachelor to entertain in Japan,” remarked Mr. Buxton one afternoon in the Campbells’ summer house.  “A busy man is saved all bother and inconvenience if he wants to give a theater party, say, with a dinner to follow, by putting the affair in the hands of an ‘elder sister,’”

“Suppose he hasn’t any elder sister,” put in Miss Campbell feeling slightly offended.  Perhaps she was older than Mr. Buxton, but she was sure she didn’t look it and she had no intention of being designated as his “elder sister.”

“Oh, but he always has,” replied Mr. Buxton.  “A Japanese providence always provides a Nesan, or elder sister, for persons desiring to entertain.  All she requires of you is to leave her alone and pay the bill.”

Miss Campbell felt somewhat mollified.