My host again followed me to the low stone step at the porch entrance, protesting against my departure and begging me to stay for dinner, which came at noon. I told him I would come again, and I meant it.
"You have been very kind," I said, in farewell, "and I want to thank you for the things you told me. In time Celeste will come with her demands, trust me for that."
"Vair well, m'sieu!" he cried, twisting his face into a maze of goodhumored wrinkles.
At the gate I turned and waved to him again, sweeping the premises with my eyes as I did so for a sign of Beryl Drane.
That most peculiar young woman was nowhere visible.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
IN WHICH I ENTERTAIN SERIOUSLY A CHIVALROUS NOTION TO MY GREAT DETRIMENT
"A, B, C, D, E, F,—H?"
We sat side by side on the edge of the porch, with our feet on the low stone step. For fifteen minutes I had been drilling Celeste in the alphabet.