“I am—er—twenty-two.”

“Of the nobility?”

“My father was of noble birth.”

“Then you must be so, too. I hope you'll forgive my rudeness. I'm a bit nervous, you know.”

“I forgive you gladly.”

“Devilish rough road, this.”

“Devilish. It is a mountain road.”

“That's where we were, too.”

“Where who were?”

“Oh, a young lady and I, some time ago. I just happened to think of it.”