Meanwhile, let it rest in peace!" And I
consigned it to the most sacred interstice of my pocket-book. To say
that I was disposed to humour the poor fellow would seem to be saying
that I thought his request fantastic. It was his situation, by no fault
of his own, that was fantastic, and he was only trying to be natural. He
watched me put away the letter, and when it had disappeared gave a soft
sigh of relief. The sigh was natural, and yet it set me thinking. His
general recoil from an immediate responsibility imposed by others might
be wholesome enough; but if there was an old grievance on one side, was
there not possibly a new-born delusion on the other? It would be unkind
to withhold a reflection that might serve as a warning; so I told him,
abruptly, that I had been an undiscovered spectator, the night before, of
his exploits at roulette.
He blushed deeply, but he met my eyes with the same clear good-humour.
"Ah, then, you saw that wonderful lady?"
"Wonderful she was indeed. I saw her afterwards, too, sitting on the
terrace in the starlight. I imagine she was not alone."
"No, indeed, I was with her--for nearly an hour. Then I walked home with
her."
"Ah! And did you go in?"
"No, she said it was too late to ask me; though she remarked that in a
general way she did not stand upon ceremony.
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