After dinner we were on the terrace, when he approached me and said with a smile:
"I am distressed, madame, to think that without knowing you, I must have made a disagreeable impression."
"I confess that you startled me."
"How pale you turned!... perhaps you were expecting some one!" ... He asked this question with a troubled look and such charming anxiety that I answered quickly—too quickly, perhaps:
"No, monsieur, I did not expect any one."
"You saw me coming up the walk?"
"Yes, I saw you coming."
"But was there any reason why I should have caused you this sudden fright!... some resemblance, perhaps?—no?—It is strange ... I am puzzled."
"And I am also very much puzzled, monsieur."
"About me!... What happiness!"