I think I first mistook you for a ghost come back to haunt me for having despatched you on so perilous a quest.

You cannot know how I have been scolded for doing such a thing; yet surely you would have gone, even if I had failed to encourage it." "Perhaps so, Mademoiselle," I answered, hoping I might lead her to speak with greater seriousness; "but it was the hope of the reward that spurred me forward." "Ah, of course," she said deliberately ignoring her own offer, and with a reckless toss of her head, "you sought a fair girl for whose sake you have travelled far.

Pray tell me, Monsieur,--I am so curious to know,--do you truly think Josette fairer than I ?" She spoke so lightly, smiling softly into my eyes, that I hardly detected the faint tinge of regretful sarcasm in her low voice.
"Josette, you ask me?
Why, Josette is indeed a most charming girl, Mademoiselle; but to my mind there can be no comparison between her and you, for you are the fairest woman I have ever known." Her dark eyes were full upon me, and I saw her parted lips move as if she would speak.

But no words came, and we stood there silent except for the nervous tapping of her foot against the floor.

Her look of seriousness changed into a smile.
"By my faith, but you pay compliments with so grave a countenance, Monsieur, that I hardly know how to receive them.