And next morning, when I wanted to look at the time, my watch
was equally invisible. Then there was the business of the passengers
being searched, and the everlasting talk about the whole business. One
got sick and tired of it. I got tired of the Countess and her crystal,
too: but the effect is passing away now. I expect I can stand her if you
can."
Annesley said that she would be interested. She refrained from adding
that she did not intend to make use of the seeress's gift for her own
benefit.
* * * * *
The Countess de Santiago wired her acceptance of the invitation, and
appeared at the Knowle Hotel on Saturday with a maid and a good deal of
luggage. Annesley had secretly feared that the effect of the beautiful
lady on the guests of the hotel would be overpowering, and had pictured
her, brilliantly coloured and exquisitely dressed, breaking like a
sunburst upon the dining room at luncheon time.
But she had underrated the Countess's cleverness and sense of propriety.
The lady arrived in a neat, tailor-made travelling dress of russet-brown
tweed which, with a plain toque of brown velvet and fur, cooled the ruddy
flame of her hair.
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