"I don't understand," she said, the frozen blue coming into her eyes. "Did he tell you then—a child like you?"
"He has never mentioned your name to me, Madame," I said eagerly, for I saw her resentment.
"Then how did you know?"
I recounted the history of the old stocking. I also mentioned Paragot's appeal to me as a scholar and a gentleman.
A wan smile played about her lips.
"Was that soon after he bought you for half-a-crown?"
"Yes, Madame," said I.
"And an old stocking?"
"Yes, Madame. And since then we have never spoken of the papers."
"But how did you know I was the—the Joanna of the papers?"