"It is not trespassing," with pretty warmth; "indeed, monsieur, you must accept of our hospitality."
"Then thank you very much."
"And—your luggage? Is it with friends? They will be anxious—we will send——"
She was too courteous to ask with whom he was staying. Yet she wondered much, for, beyond poor cottages, there were no dwellings within many miles of Ancelles.
"I am alone," he answered; "I have walked from B—— to-day."
Jeannette snorted. She plainly did not believe him. B—— was thirty and more miles distant. The suspicion in her stare grew deeper.
"Oh," said Stéphanie.
"My luggage——" He hesitated; yet what could he do without it? "It is only a small bag—it is—er—outside your garden wall," he finished desperately.
"Jeannette, please see that it is fetched at once."
No faintest spark of surprise appeared in his hostess's small face. She seemed quite used to having strangers tumble over her wall into her garden, quite used to luggage being left outside the wall.