‘I might, of course,’ suggested Cordelia, ‘be sent to a convent there, to be taught to speak whatever they do speak. You see, my mother has got a perfect mania about languages. She would like me to be able to speak ninety-nine different ones even if I never learnt anything else. Though what, I should like to know, is the use of speaking ninety-nine languages if one had nothing to say? Now I think the nuns have no idea of teaching. I’ve never been so badly taught in my life. They flap about and go on and on at one, and half the time one can’t understand what they’re saying, and when one does it doesn’t make sense. I don’t wonder they got turned out of France – I’m not learning anything. However, the nuns think nothing matters so long as they go on being religious, and mother thinks nothing matters so long as they go on being French, so there you are.’

Sydney agreed that this was all very difficult. Milton, who wondered what would become of this little girl, was silent and looked so much depressed that Cordelia, to cheer him up, caught hold of his hand, and swinging herself along by it asked him whether he were fond of reading. ‘I am,’ said she. ‘My two favourite authors are Rider Haggard and the Baroness von Hutten. Who are yours?’

Milton hesitated, and Sydney and Cordelia looked at him with curiosity. Conscious of Sydney’s attention, he was still debating how to answer most fruitfully when she said to Cordelia across him: ‘I don’t think Mr Milton ever reads at all. I never see him with a book.’

‘That’s not fair,’ said Milton. ‘I read too much, as a rule. I came out here for …’

‘For what?’ said Sydney, looking about her expressively.

‘For people,’ said Milton unwarily.

‘Oh!’ they both exclaimed. ‘What an extraordinary thing to come for! – To come here for,’ Sydney added.

‘Don’t you know any people? Do you like them so much?’ Cordelia inquired. ‘How funny! I only like people in books who only exist when they matter. I think it is being in danger or terribly in love, discovering treasure or revenging yourself that is thrilling and for that you have to have people. But people in hotels, hardly alive …! ’