Page 11 (1/2)

Wethermill looked at Hanaud with a certain defiance

"For a fortnight"

Hanaud raised his eyebrows

"You met her here?"

"Yes"

"In the rooms, I suppose? Not at the house of one of your

friends?"

"That is so," said Wethermill quietly "A friend of mine who had

met her in Paris introduced me to her at my request"

Hanaud handed back the portrait and dreard his chair nearer

to Wetherrown friendly He spoke with a tone

of respect

"Monsieur, I know so of you Our friend, Mr Ricardo, told

me your history; I asked him for it when I saw you at his dinner

You are of those about whom one does ask questions, and I know

that you are not a romantic boy, but who shall say that he is safe

from the appeal of beauty? I have seen women, monsieur, for whose

purity of soul I would myself have stood security, condemned for

coainsaid; and I have known them turn foul-mouthed, and hideous to

look upon, the moment after their just sentence has been

pronounced" "No doubt, monsieur," said Wethermill, with perfect