"Listen, madame, and let us not waste time, when every minute is valuable. First of all, remember this: we met four times, six years ago…. And, on the fourth occasion, when I was speaking to you, in the drawing–room of this house, with too much—what shall I say?—with too much feeling, you gave me to understand that my visits were no longer welcome. Since that day I have not seen you. And, nevertheless, in spite of all, your faith in me was such that you kept the card which I put between the pages of that book and, six years later, you send for me and none other. That faith in me I ask you to continue. You must obey me blindly. Just as I surmounted every obstacle to come to you, so I will save you, whatever the position may be."
Horace Velmont's calmness, his masterful voice, with the frie
