Nor indeed did they see any
more of their unwelcome fellow-traveller, since he was bound for the
Hotel du Louvre, and, to Janet's undisguised chagrin, rooms were
already engaged at the Hotel Castiglione.
They came too late for the table d'hote, and partook of an
extemporised meal in their sitting-room immediately on their arrival,
as the start was to be early. Then it was that Janet missed her bag,
her precious bag! Delrio was sent all over the house to make
inquiries whether it had been taken to any other person's room, but
in vain. Mrs. Evelyn said she had last seen it when they took their
seats on board the steamer.
"Yes," added Elvira, "you left it there when you went to walk up and
down with that gentleman."
"Then why did not you take care of it? I don't mean Elfie-—nobody
expects her to be of any use; but you, Babie?"
"You never told me!" gasped Babie, aghast.
"You ought to have seen; but you never think of anything but your own
chatter."
"It is a very inconvenient loss," said Mrs. Evelyn, kindly. "Have
you sent to the station?"
"I shall, as soon as I am satisfied that it is not here. I can send
out for the things I want for use; but there are books and papers of
importance, and my keys."
"The key of mother's davenport?" cried Babie.
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