"Valentine," she called.

"Yes," answered a voice.

"Ah, you are there. I may need you in a minute."

"Bien!"

Then, returning, she said quietly: "Valentine is a friend of mine. She sells postal cards up here. Unless you tell me the truth, I shall ask her to go down and call the sacristan. Now then, who are you?"

"Don't ask who I am," pleaded the lady.

"I ask what I want to know."

"Anything but that!"

"Then you are not Madam Marius?"

"No."