"I have the advantage of knowing you, though only by name, it is true."
"A fine story that! I, too, know the Grand Turk by name."
"My dear Madame Barbançon, will you permit me to say that we could talk very much more at our ease inside, than out here on the doorstep."
"I only care to be at ease with persons I like, monsieur," retorted the housekeeper, tartly.
"I can understand your distrust, my dear madame," replied the marquis, concealing his impatience, "so I will vouch for myself by a name that is not entirely unknown to you."
"What name is that?"
"That of Madame la Comtesse de Beaumesnil."
"Do you come at her request, monsieur?" asked the housekeeper, quickly.
"At her request? No, madame," sadly replied the hunchback, shaking his head, "Madame de Beaumesnil is dead."
"Dead! And when did the poor, dear lady die?"