And a chance word presently completed the work.
'Clon made you understand, then ?' the young woman said kindly, as I took my seat.
'Yes, Mademoiselle,' I answered.

On that I saw the two smile at one another, and I added: 'He is a strange creature.

I wonder that you can bear to have him near you.' 'Poor man! You do not know his story ?' Madame said.
'I have heard something of it,' I answered.

'Louis told me.' 'Well, I do shudder at him sometimes,' she replied, in a low voice.

'He has suffered--and horribly, and for us.