"Why do you call me 'monsieur'?"
"You are French, are you not?"
"French by descent, if you will, but I am a British subject. Also, I am a Roman Catholic. You are of the same faith?"
"Yes, I am of the true Faith."
"I am glad of that," said Lestrange indolently; he was as indolent as graceful, and reminded Sophy of a full-fed tiger. "I am pleased to hear that Marlow allowed you to retain your faith since he took from you your father and your name."
"Do you know that my father is dead?"
"Pardon me, he is alive, and sitting before you."
Sophy ignored his remark.
"Do you know that Mr. Marlow is dead?" she asked again.
"Ah! now you speak as you should. Yes, I heard something about his death. The fact is, I have only just landed from a Royal Mail steamer at Southampton--two days ago, in fact--so I know very little. But I have heard of the disappearance of his body. It is town talk in London. One cannot open a newspaper without coming across theories of how it happened."