"You are an Englishman ?" she said.
"Yes," said the stranger.

"I'm not especially proud of it just now, but, you see, a man must live." Townshead looked up from his chair.

"I fancy that is a slightly mistaken sentiment.

Some men are better dead, and I occasionally feel tempted to include myself in the category." The young man smiled a little.

"The Frenchman put it a trifle more concisely, sir," he said.
Townshead nodded.