'I am ill.

She must excuse me.' She pointed with her fragile finger to my companions.
I rose, and still keeping her hand in mine, turned so as to face the hearth.

'This, madame,' I answered formally, 'is Mademoiselle--, but her name I will commit to you later, and in private.

Suffice it to say that she is a lady of rank, who has been committed to my charge by a high personage.' 'A high personage ?' my mother repeated gently, glancing at me with a smile of gratification.
'One of the highest,' I said, 'Such a charge being a great honour to me, I felt that I could not better execute it madame, since we must lie in Blois one night, than by requesting your hospitality on her behalf.' I dared mademoiselle as I spoke--I dared her with my eye to contradict or interrupt me.

For answer, she looked at me once, inclining her head a little, and gazing at us from under her long eyelashes.