It is the French way of expressing one's self," observed she.

"I am glad your friend is disposed to help you," she continued, giving me back the letter with a smile.

"I am afraid you needed it." In a sort of maze I folded up the letter, bowed my very humble thanks to her and shuffled slowly back.

The fact is I had no words; I was utterly dumbfounded.

Half way through that letter, with whose contents you must remember I was unacquainted, I would have given my whole chance of expected reward to have stopped her.