"One day, moreover—the most memorable day of all—I made the acquaintance of a lady. Let me endeavour to recall that day.
"It was away towards Blonay, at some distance from my temporary home. She was tall and elegant, wearing a white blouse, a dark skirt, and a sailor hat; her hair was auburn; her eyes were beautifully blue. She looked about her anxiously, as though in doubt of the direction that she ought to take. Revolving the situation rapidly in my mind, I said to myself—
"'I am favourably impressed. In the absence of more serious adventure, this is emphatically an adventure to be pursued.'
"And to the lady herself I said, raising my hat with a very courteous flourish—
"'Pardon me, madam. You seem to me to have lost your way. May I place myself at your disposition and direct you?'
"From her dress and demeanour I had judged that she was English, but from her reply it appeared that she was American.
"'Now, I call that real nice of you,' was her simple answer.
"'Your destination?'
"'Way down at Territet. Grand Hôtel des Alpes.'
"'We are at some distance from the high road. You will permit me, perhaps, to guide you.'