The stranger hesitated.
"Don't you understand French?" I inquired.
"Perfectly."
"Well then, take out your watch. In one quarter of an hour you shall be free from all my persecution; but, give me that time, pray do!"
"Agreed," said the stranger smiling, as he gracefully offered me his arm.
"This," said I, pressing the arm I had taken, "this seems, I am sorry to say, to be mere solid flesh and blood. I had fancied——"
"What?"
"Why," continued I, half ashamed of myself, "upon my word and honour, I do confess I thought you something supernatural!"
The stranger's countenance brightened, and he asked me eagerly if I had ever seen him before.
"Never, nor am I naturally superstitious or weak."