“I have never been received in a manner that seemed to require courage on my part.”
“You have come, no doubt,” continued Monsieur de Lanty, “in search of your property which you were careless enough to leave in our hands. I shall return you that article of gallantry.”
So saying, he rose and took from a drawer in his secretary an elegant little portfolio, which he gave to me.
As I looked at it in a sort of stupefaction, he added:
“Yes; I know the letters are not there; I presume you will allow me to keep them.”
“This portfolio, the letters you mention—all this is an enigma to me, monsieur.”
At this moment Madame de Lanty entered the room.
“What do you want?” said her husband, roughly.
“I knew monsieur was here, and as I feared some painful explanation, I came to do my duty as a woman, and interpose.”
“You need fear nothing, madame,” I said; “evidently what is taking place is the result of some misunderstanding.”