"No one denies you that right. I simply thought that perhaps the sight of this château recalled bygone memories to you; that you may have known someone here formerly."
The stranger cast a piercing glance at the young man, and a bitter smile played about his lips, but he made no reply.
After a moment’s silence, Edouard continued:
"This is a charming country; I am delighted that I came here; it presents a most picturesque blending of wild and cheerful scenery.—Do you belong hereabout, monsieur?"
The stranger gazed earnestly at Edouard, and replied:
"If I should ask you where you came from, what you have been doing, and what you have come here for, would you consider it any of my business, and would you answer?"
"Perhaps so, monsieur; moreover, I may have reasons for questioning you which you would not have for questioning me."
"That is to say, that because I am poorly clad, because I look like an unfortunate devil, you, who are well dressed, and have money in your pocket, no doubt, think that you are vastly superior to me, and that that gives you the right to question me."
"You are mistaken, monsieur; and although your exterior may have led me to think that you are not wealthy, that thought has made me desirous to do something for you, to be useful to you, and that is what led me to ask you these questions."
The stranger looked at Edouard for some seconds, then shook his head, saying: