And it was characteristic of the two that Mademoiselle as they drew near to me regarded me with sorrowful attention, Madame with a grave smile.
I bowed low.

They returned the salute.

'This is my sister,' Madame de Cocheforet said, with a very slight air of condescension, 'Will you please to tell me your name, Monsieur ?' 'I am M.de Barthe, a gentleman of Normandy,' I said, taking on impulse the name of my mother.

My own, by a possibility, might be known.
Madame's face wore a puzzled look.

'I do not know that name, I think,' she said thoughtfully.