The sport of this adventure, entered into in a spirit of devilry, seemed suddenly to have shrunk to the dimensions of a somewhat sorry jest.

It was, I now reflected, but a poor game to deceive an innocent girl and an old man as guileless.

Innocence is a great safeguard.
"Monsieur," I answered, on the spur of the moment, "I have no such qualities as you naturally seek in a secretary.

I received my education at Eton and at Cambridge University.

If you want a secretary to bowl you a straight ball, or pull a fairly strong oar, I am your man, for I learnt little else.