while so employed, that he was doing great things.  He had almost made up his mind to slip one note between the pages of a book, not with any well-defined plan as to the utility of such a measure, but because it seemed to be such a diplomatic thing to do!  But while this grand idea was still flashing backward and forward across his brain, the door opened, and he found himself in the presence of—­the Russian spy.

He at once saw that the Russian spy was very dirty, and that she wore a nightcap, but he liked her the better on that account.  A female Russian spy should, he felt, differ much in her attire from other women.  If possible, she should be arrayed in diamonds, and pearl ear-drops, with as little else upon her as might be; but failing that costume, which might be regarded as the appropriate evening spy costume, a tumbled nightcap, and a dirty, white wrapper, old cloth slippers, and objectionable stockings, were just what they should be.

“Ah!” said the lady, “you are Captain Clavering.  Yes, I remember.”

“I am Captain Clavering.  I had the honor of meeting you at Lady Ongar’s.”

“And now you wish to consult me on an affair of great importance.  Very well.  You may consult me.  Will you sit down—­there.”  And Madam Gordeloup indicated to him a chair just opposite to herself, and far removed from that convenient spot which Archie had prepared for the smoothing of the bank-notes.  Near to the place now assigned to him there was no table whatever, and he felt that he would in that position be so completely raked by the fire of her keen eyes, that he would not be able to carry on his battle upon good terms.  In spite, therefore, of the lady’s very plain instructions, he made an attempt to take possession of the chair which he had himself placed; but it was an ineffectual attempt, for the spy was very peremptory with him.  “There, Captain Clavering; there; there; you will be best there.”  Then he did as he was bid, and seated himself; as it were, quite out at sea, with nothing but an ocean of carpet around him, and with no possibility of manipulating his notes except under the raking fire of those terribly sharp eyes.  “And now,” said Madam Gordeloup, “you can commence to consult me.  What is the business?”

Ah; what was the business?  That was now the difficulty?  In discussing the proper way of tendering the bank-notes, I fear the two captains had forgotten the nicest point of the whole negotiation.  How was he to tell her what it was that he wanted to do himself, and what that she was to be required to do for him?  It behooved him above all things not to be awkward!  That he remembered.  But how not to be awkward?  “Well!” she said; and there was something almost of crossness in her tone.  Her time, no doubt, was valuable.  The French ambassador might even now be coming.  “Well?”

“I think, Madam Gordeloup, you know my brother’s sister-in-law, Lady Ongar?”

“What, Julie?  Of course I know Julie.  Julie and I are dear friends.”