"If you will take me as far as the sand, I shall do splendidly then.

You see, I can't let you come into Valpre with me because--because--" "Because, mademoiselle-- ?" Up went the black brows questioningly.
She flushed a little, but her clear eyes met his with absolute candour.
"We have a French governess," she explained, "who was brought up in a convent, so she is very easily shocked.

If she knew that I had spoken to a stranger, and a man"-- she raised her hands with a merry gesture--"she would have a fit--several fits.

I couldn't risk it.

Poor mademoiselle! She doesn't understand our English ways a bit.