"First of all, let me rest a little."
The marquis wore a travelling-dress; but although he had not stated his name, Louise Goillard saw at a glance that he was a very different person from what she had thought, and that, on the contrary, he was some fine gentleman who had come on his love affairs.
"I beg you to excuse," said she, "a fear which is insulting to you. You came in so hurriedly that I had not time to see whom I was talking to. My house is rather lonely; I am alone; ill-disposed people might easily take advantage of these circumstances to plunder a poor woman who has little enough to lose. The times are so bad! You seem tired. Will you inhale some essence?"
"Give me only a glass of water."
Louise Goillard went into the adjoining room, and returned with an ewer. The marquis affected to rinse his lips, and said—
"I come from a great distance on a most important matter. Be assured that I shall be properly grateful for your services."
He felt in his pocket, and pulled out a purse, which he rolled between his fingers.
"In the first place; you must swear to the greatest secrecy."
"There is no need of that with us," said Louise Goillard; "that is the first condition of our craft."
"I must have more express guarantees, and your oath that you will reveal to no one in the world what I am going to confide to you."