Jacob made an effort to smile.
"The real truth is that I might well have been grieved and astonished, for I know the sad history of this woman."
"Ah! there is, then, as I thought, a sad story?"
"Yes, but I did not figure in it."
Lucie looked at him fixedly, but he returned her glance without emotion.
"Oh! pray, monsieur," demanded she in a caressing voice, "relate to me this story. I am dying to hear it."
"I warn you, madame, that it is not remarkable, and as it is the story of a Jewess it will be less interesting to you than to me. I am afraid I shall weary you. I am a bad story-teller, long and tiresome."
"You take a long time to tell a story! So much the better, we have plenty of time to listen. But do not torment me. Begin."
"Permit me, madame, to collect my thoughts for a moment."
"If," said the Dane, "the story is as long as monsieur promises us, and there is in the story a sentimental woman encumbered with a beast of a husband and a noble lover, I will excuse myself from listening. I can guess it all in advance."