"I value the association.

I am proud of it." "And since you know it and recognize it perhaps you will tell me how you happen to be here." "Willingly," answered Mademoiselle Laure.

"The estates are to be sold.
There are deeds and papers of value in the chateau without which transactions could not be completed.

I alone knew where they were.
With Monsieur Yeovil, my uncle's friend and the father of----" she hesitated and then went on, "so I came to France." "But with the invading armies----" "There was no other way.

The Czar Alexander gave me a safe conduct.