"Some months ago, my dear friend, I heard you telling somebody a
horrible story concerning a certain Mrs. Sarah Brandon"--

"Miss, if you please, not Mrs."

"Well, it does not matter. You know her?"

"Certainly. Everybody knows her."

Daniel did not notice the extreme self-conceit with which these words
were uttered.

"All right, then. Now, Maxime, I conjure you, by our friendship, tell
me frankly what you think of her. What kind of a woman is this Miss
Brandon?"

His features, as well as his voice, betrayed such extreme excitement,
that Brevan was almost stunned. At last he said,--

"But, my dear fellow, you ask me that in a manner"--

"I must know the truth, I tell you. It is of the utmost importance to
me."

Brevan, struck by a sudden thought, touched his forehead, and
exclaimed,--

"Oh, I see! You are in love with Sarah!"

Daniel would never have thought of such a subterfuge in order to avoid