The answer came more slowly than the question, but still it came, in the shape of a negative.

The illusion was but a trifling one, and it was not for him, after all, to let his friend know that he had already met Miss Vivian.

It was for the young girl herself, and since she had not done so--although she had the opportunity--Longueville said to himself that he was bound in honor not to speak.

These reflections were very soon made, but in the midst of them our young man, thanks to a great agility of mind, found time to observe, tacitly, that it was odd, just there, to see his "honor" thrusting in its nose.

Miss Vivian, in her own good time, would doubtless mention to Gordon the little incident of Siena.