An automobile hooted on the quay, and at the disturbing sound Madame Piriac ceased to play and swung round on the stool.

“That—­that must be our other lady guest,” said Mr. Gilman, who had developed nervousness; his cheeks flushed darkly.

“Ah?” cautiously smiled Madame Piriac, who was plainly taken aback.

“Yes,” said Mr. Gilman.  “Miss Thompkins.  Before I knew for certain that Mrs. Moncreiff could come with you, Hortense, I asked Miss Thompkins if she would care to come.  I only got her answer this morning—­it was delayed.  I meant to tell you....  You are a friend of Miss Thompkins, aren’t you?” He turned to Audrey.

Audrey replied gaily that she knew Tommy very well.

“I’d better go up,” said Mr. Gilman, and he departed, and his back, though a nervous back, seemed to be defying Madame Piriac and Audrey to question in the slightest degree his absolute right to choose his own guests on his own yacht.

“Strange man!” muttered Madame Piriac.  It was a confidence to Audrey, who eagerly accepted it as such.  “Imagine him inviting Mees Thompkins without a word to us, without a word!  But, you know, my dear uncle was always bizarre, mysterious.  Yet—­is he mysterious, or is he ingenuous?”

“But how did he come to know Miss Thompkins?” Audrey demanded.

“Ah!  You have not heard that?  Miss Thompkins gave a—­a musical tea in her studio, to celebrate these concerts which are to occur.  Musa asked the Foas to come.  They consented.  It was understood they should bring friends.  Thus I went also, and Monsieur Gilman being at my orders that afternoon, he went too.  Never have I seen so strange a multitude!  But it was amusing.  And all Paris has begun to talk of Musa.  Miss Thompkins and my uncle became friends on the instant.  I assume that it was her eyes.  Also those Americans have vivacity, if not always distinction.  Do you not think so?”

“Oh, yes!  And do you mean to say that on the strength of that he asked her to go yachting?”

“Well, he had called several times.”

“Aren’t you surprised she accepted?” asked Audrey.

“No,” said Madame Piriac.  “It is another code, that is all.  It is a surprise, but she will be amusing.”

“I’m sure she will,” Audrey concurred.  “I’m frightfully fond of her myself.”

They glanced at each other very intimately, like long-established allies who fear an aggression—­and are ready for it.

Then steps were heard.  Miss Thompkins entered.

“Well,” drawled Miss Thompkins, gazing first at Audrey and then at Madame Piriac.  “Of all the loveliest shocks——­Say, Musa——­”

Behind her stood Musa.  It appeared that he had been able to get away by the same train as Tommy.

CHAPTER XXXI

THE NOSTRUM