"Only that those women may have heard you; and if I wear these clothes you must know it is because my interests or my safety oblige me."
"Oh!" said the man, winking one eye and affecting a knowing air; "those women you pretend to be afraid of know all about you."
"No, they do not!"
"One of them does, any how."
Mary trembled in spite of herself; but summoning all her strength of will, she replied:--
"Neither one nor all. But may I ask why you are putting these questions to me?"
"Because, if you are really alone, as you say you are, I shall ask you to stop here for a few minutes."
"I?"
"Yes."
"For what purpose?"