"Two weeks, perhaps. Perhaps less."
"So! It is well. You shall come to see me again, is it not?"
"We was thinkin' of takin' dinner and supper here, madame."
"Good," declared madame. "But stay, you will drink a brandy?"
Ben, who looked upon the offer of hospitality as most favourable to his intentions, accepted.
"And you, m'sieu?" said madame, turning to Dare.
"Nothing, thank you," replied Dare.
"But a sirop," insisted madame, "a bon sirop." And Dare perforce could do no other than accept.
They seated themselves again at a table and madame, who was inclined to gossip, joined them.
"It is long, I think, since you came last," she said to Ben.