"
As the ladies--of whose presence St. Auban had been unaware--appeared
before us, I shot a glance at the Marquis, and, from the start he gave upon
beholding them, I saw that things were as I had suspected.
Before they could reply to Andrea, St. Auban suddenly advanced:
"Mesdemoiselles," quoth he, "forgive me if in this miserable light I did
not earlier discover your presence and offer you my services. I do so now,
with the hope that you will honour me by making use of them."
"Merci, M. de St. Auban," replied the dark-haired one--whom I guessed to be
none other than Yvonne de Canaples herself--"but, since this gentleman so
gallantly cedes his apartments to us, all our needs are satisfied. It
would be churlish to refuse that which is so graciously proffered."
Her tone was cold in the extreme, as also was the inclination of her head
wherewith she favoured the Marquis. In arrant contrast were the pretty
words of thanks she addressed to Andrea, who stood by, blushing like a
girl, and a damnable scowl did this contrast draw from St. Auban, a scowl
that lasted until, escorted by the landlord, the two ladies had withdrawn.
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