Acellhadbeenpreparedforme,averitablecell,windowless,airless,lightless,inthevisceraofthepalace.Thevaletlitalampforme;anarrowbed,adarkcupboardwithfruitandflowerscarvedonitbulkedoutofthegloom.

    "Ishalltwistaofmybedlinenandhangmyselfwithit,"Isaid.

    "Oh,no,"saidthevalet,fixinguponmewideandsuddenlymelancholyeyes."Oh,no,youwillnot.Youareawomanofhonour."

    Andwhatwashedoinginmybedroom,thisjiggingcaricatureofaman?WashetobemywarderuntilIsubmittedtoTheBeastswhimorhetomine?AmIinsuchreducedcircumstahatImaynothavealadysmaid?Asifiomyunspokendemand,thevaletclappedhishands.

    "Toassuageyourloneliness,madame..."

    Aknogandclatteringbehindthedoorofthecupboard;thedoorswingsopenandoutglidesasoubrettefromaa,withglossy,nut-browncurls,rosycheeks,blue,rollitakesmeamomenttniseher,itlecap,herwhitestogs,herfrilledpetticoats.Shecarriesalookingglassinonehandandapowderpuffiherandthereisamusicalboxwhereherheartshouldbe;shetinklesassherollstowardsmeoinywheels.

    "Nothinghumanliveshere,"saidthevalet.

    Mymaidhalted,bowed;fromasplitseamatthesideofherbodiceprotrudesthehandleofakey.Sheisamarvellousmae,themostdelicatelybalancedsystemofcordsandpulleysintheworld.

    "Wehavedispehservants,"thevaletsaid."Wesurroundourselvesinstead,forutilityandpleasure,withsimuladfinditnolessvehandomostgentlemen."

    Thisclockworktwinofmiedbeforeme,herbowelsingoutasettei,andofferedmetheboldationofhersmile.Click,click