Follow a Stranger

steadiness, his gravity, his French formality. He would be

the perfect mate for her.”

“But, madame—” began Kate, and the other woman

smiled and shook her head, interrupting her.

“I know, I know—Pallas must think she has chosen him

herself. I agree.”

“You do?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Lillitos smiled. “Pallas wants to be

hunted, to be caught, but only with her consent. She does

not want to be sold like a cabbage in the market place.”

Kate sighed with relief. “Exactly what I think.”

“But do you think it wise for Jean-Paul to flirt with you in

order to provoke her into an interest in him?”

asked Mrs. Lillitos seriously. “People may misunderstand.”

She carefully fitted several pieces into her puzzle, without

looking up, and added, “As Marc does.”

Kate’s fingers trembled as she tried to fit another piece

into an odd-shaped hole. Mrs. Lillitos gently took the piece

away from her.

“No, ma chere, not there ...”

Kate looked up and their eyes met. Mrs. Lillitos searched

the wide blue eyes thoughtfully, then Kate looked down

again. They went on doing the jigsaw puzzle in silence until

a sudden crack of thunder heralded the awaited arrival of

the storm.

Kate saw her hostess flinch. “What we need,” she said

cheerfully, “is some soft music, to drown the sound of the

storm. Have you got a radio?”

“We would waken the others,” Mrs. Lillitos said

regretfully. “But there is a record player in Marc’s office.