He had, indeed, passed through a trying ordeal, and that with an imperturbable nerve and coolness of head.

He made, however, little of his own difficulties, and gave all his attention to Madame's affairs.

Whenever he made mention of my name I saw Lucille frown.
After luncheon we went to the garden, which extends from the grim old house to the cliff-edge, and is protected on either side by a double rank of Scotch firs, all twisted and gnarled by the winter winds--all turning westward, with a queer effect as of raised shoulders and shivering limbs.
Within the boundary we have always, however, succeeded in growing such simple flowers as are indigenous to British soil--making a gay appearance and filling the air with clean-smelling scents.
"Your garden," said Madame, touching my arm as we passed out of the dining-room window, "always suggests to me the English character--not much flower, but a quantity of tough wood." Alphonse joined us, and embarked at once on the description of an easterly gale such as are too common on this coast, but new to him and grand enough in its onslaught.

For the wind hurls itself unchecked against the cliff and house after its career across the North Sea.
Lucille and John Turner had walked slowly away together down the narrow path running from the house to the solid entrenchment of turf that stands on the cliff edge, covered with such sparse grass and herb as the sand and spray may nourish.
"It is pleasant," Lucille said, as they went from us, "to have some one to talk French with." She was without her hat or gloves, and I saw the sunlight gleaming on her hair.
"You have Alphonse Giraud," said Turner, in his blunt way.
Lucille shrugged her shoulders.
"And Howard, from time to time," added the banker, who, having received permission to smoke a cigar, was endeavouring to extract a penknife from his waistcoat pocket.
"Who talks French with the understanding of an Englishman," said Lucille, quickly.
"You do not like Englishmen ?" "I like honest ones, Monsieur," said Lucille, looking across the sea.
"Ah!" "Oh, yes--I know," cried Lucille, impatiently.

"You are one of Mr.
Howard's partisans.