I am a gentleman; and upon the word of a gentleman, Madame, am innocent of any desire to offend or alarm you.

Can you--will you--hear me for one moment ?" "I appear, sir, to have no alternative," replied she, trembling like a caged bird.
"I might have left you undeceived, Madame.

I might have extricated myself from, this painful position undiscovered--but for some words which just escaped your lips; some words so nearly concerning the--the honor and happiness of--of....

in short, I lost my presence of mind.

I now implore you to tell me if all that you have just been saying of Madame de Marignan is strictly true." "Who are you, sir, that you should dare to surprise confidences intended for another, and by what right do you question me ?" said the lady, haughtily.
"By no right, Madame," I replied, fairly breaking into sobs, and burying my face in my hands.