In the course of this I became interested in one for whom this ovation began to assume the proportions of a triumph; not only the under-servants, but the barmaid, the landlady, and my friend the postmaster himself, crowding about the steps to speed his departure.

I was aware, at the same time, of a good deal of merriment, as though the traveller were a man of a ready wit, and not too dignified to air it in that society.

I leaned forward with a lively curiosity; and the next moment I had blotted myself behind the teapot.

The popular traveller had turned to wave a farewell; and behold! he was no other than my cousin Alain.

It was a change of the sharpest from the angry, pallid man I had seen at Amersham Place.