"You do not mean what you say." "Even an Englishman," I answered, "can find words when he is sufficiently moved." I made a feint again to hold her hands, but she drew away.
"When are you going back to England ?" she asked abruptly.
"To-morrow, I think," I answered, "if I am still free." "Free!" she repeated scornfully.

"If you are protected, who is there who will dare to touch you?
Monsieur Decresson has all the police dancing to his bidding, and if that were not sufficient, Monsieur Bartot could rescue you even from prison.

No, you are safe enough, monsieur, even if you remain here! It is Louis, eh, who is anxious for you to return to England ?" "My time was nearly up anyhow," I told her.

"It is not until this moment that I have felt inclined to stay." "Nevertheless," she murmured, "Monsieur goes to London to-morrow.

Is it permitted to ask--" "Anything," I murmured.
"If monsieur goes alone ?" "I fear so," I answered, "unless mademoiselle--" She laid her fingers upon my lips.
"Monsieur does not know the elderly gentleman and the very beautiful girl who sat opposite him last night ?" she asked,--"Monsieur Delora and his niece ?" Somehow I felt convinced, the moment that the question had left her lips, that her whole interest in me was centred upon my reply.