C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson

“ Still, I decided that if I had to choose, it would be the duke before Bertie.
The girl kept both her men busy, and after the first glance Bertie ignored my existence: but the Duke, fired by a moment's neglect, flamed out with an inspiration. He "dared" Miss Nelson to take a lesson from him in driving his car, with no other chaperon than the chauffeur. "All right, I will," said she, "and I bet you I 'll be an expert after one trial."
"What do you bet?" asked the Duke. ”

“ At the hotels, the maids and valets scarcely knew each other. Some were in a hurry, others were tired or in a bad humour. Here the little company had been together for days. Meals were a relaxation, a time for flirtation and gossip about their own and each other's masters and mistresses. Each servant felt the liveliest interest in the "Monsieur" or "Madame" of his or her neighbour ”

“ She smiled flirtatiously in answer and Bertie stood forlorn, his nice pink complexion turning an ugly salmon colour. In a minute the white car was off, Miss Nelson beside the duke, the chauffeur like a small nut in a large shell, lolling in the tonneau. Bertie turned to us, and having looked kindly at me, sharply demanded of Jack where he was going.
"Mademoiselle has an errand."
"All! then I'll drive Mademoiselle. Wish I had a tenner for every time I 've driven an Aigle! You can sit inside, in case there 's work to do." ”

“ Yes, I am very 'kind.' A man has to be abnormally 'kind' to want to look after a girl like you."
"How bitterly you speak!" I exclaimed, hardly understanding him.
"I feel bitter sometimes. Do you wonder? But for heaven's sake, don't let 's talk of me. Let 's talk of something pleasant. Would you care to do a little sight-seeing in Clermont-Ferrand, if your shopping does n't take us too long?"
I assured him that it would not take ten minutes; and it did n't take more. I saved a franc on the transaction, too, which would console her ladyship if I got back a few minutes late ”

“ He looked at the other man, and then, though Bertie stepped quickly forward as if to open the car door and jump in, he sprang to his place, and we were off.
"He means mischief," I said, when I felt able to speak.
"So do I, if he does," answered Jack.
"I wish you 'd do me a favour," I went on. "Keep away from that awful ball to-night."
"What! With you there? I know my business better."
I could n't help laughing. "Your present business, I believe," said I, "is that of a chauffeur." ”

“ I will give you ten francs to buy yourself a pair of red stockings and red slippers to match. The stockings need n't be silk. They won't show much. Dane can take you in the car to Clermont-Ferrand this afternoon. I want you to be all right, from head to feet—different from any of the other maids."
I did n't doubt that I would be different—very different.
Tap, tap, a knock at the door.
"Ontray!" cried her ladyship. ”

“ The girls were looking forward to rivalling their mistresses in chic, and also in the admiration of the real princes and dukes and counts; that they would have an exclusive right to the attentions of these gentlemen's understudies also seemed to be expected. ”