'His name!'
I answered firmly that I could not give it. And I eyed her steadily as I did so.
This for the moment seemed to baffle and confuse her, but after a pause she continued: 'Where do you propose to take me, sir?'
'To Blois; to the lodging of a friend of my friend.'
'You speak bravely,' she replied with a faint sneer. 'You have made some great friends lately it seems! But you bring me some letter, no doubt; at least some sign, some token, some warranty, that you are the person you pretend to be, M. de Marsac?'
'The truth is, mademoiselle,' I stammered, 'I must explain. I should tell you----'
'Nay, sir,' she cried impetuously, 'there is no need of telling. If you have what I say, show it me! It is you who lose time. Let us have no more words!'
I had used very few words, and, God knows, was not in the mind to use many; but, being in the wrong, I had no answer to make except the truth, and that humbly. 'I had such a token as you mention, mademoiselle,' I said, 'no farther back than this afternoon, in the shape of half a gold coin, entrusted to me by my friend. But, to my shame I say it, it was stolen from me a few hours back.'
'Stolen from you!' she exclaimed.
'Yes, mademoiselle; and for that reason I cannot show it,' I answered.