"You speak French well, sir." "So M.de Fontelles, whom I met at Canterbury, told me.

Do you chance to know him, sir ?" M.de Perrencourt did not start now; I should have been disappointed if he had.
"Very well," he answered.

"If you're his friend, you're mine." He held out his hand.
"I take it on false pretences," said I with a laugh, as I shook it.

"For we came near to quarrelling, M.de Fontelles and I." "Ah, on what point ?" "A nothing, sir." "Nay, but tell me." "Indeed I will not, if you'll pardon me." "Sir, I wish to know.

I ins--I beg." A stare from me had stopped the "insist" when it was half-way through his lips.