'A piece of work,' Hortense nodded.
The man said nothing, waiting apparently for an explanation. His face wore the look of lowering irritation which low natures feel at being puzzled.
'Are you a bold man?'
Light seemed to come in this question. The quick expansion of his features answered it. You cannot touch upon certain subjects with an inferior but by the sacrifice of the barrier which separates you from him. There are thoughts and feelings and glimpses and foreshadowings of thoughts which level all inequalities of station.
'I'm bold enough,' said the boatman, 'for anything you want me to do.'
'Are you bold enough to commit a crime?'
'Not for nothing.'
'If I ask you to endanger your peace of mind, to risk your personal safety for me, it is certainly not as a favor. I will give you ten times the weight in gold of every grain by which your conscience grows heavier in my service.'
The man gave her a long, hard look through the dim light.
'I know what you want me to do,' he said at last.