"'Be merciful,' I went on; 'we are both sad, and Fate clearly intends us to console each other. It cannot compromise you, for I do not even know who you are. Stay and talk to me for five minutes.'
"'What do you ask me to talk about?'
"'Oh, the subject to interest us both—yourself.'
"After a moment she answered, 'I am shaking my head.'
"'It is very unfeeling of you,' I said. 'And I have not even the compensation of seeing you do it.'
"Imagine another pause, and then her voice in my ear again:
"'I will tell you what I can do for you—I can tell you a story.'
"'The truth would please me more,' I owned. 'Still, if my choice must be made between your story and your silence, I certainly choose the story.'
"'I applaud your taste,' she said. 'Are you comfortable—are you sitting down?'
"I sat down, smiling. 'Madame—'