"Not actually, perhaps, at this moment. But I don't need to tell a
man of the world, like you, that such things cannot remain unseen.
And that they are, well, compromising, because of the mere fact of
the fortune."

Mills got on his feet, looked for his jacket and after getting into
it made himself heard while he looked for his hat.

"Whereas the woman herself is, so to speak, priceless."

Mr. Blunt muttered the word "Obviously."

By then we were all on our feet. The iron stove glowed no longer
and the lamp, surrounded by empty bottles and empty glasses, had
grown dimmer.

I know that I had a great shiver on getting away from the cushions
of the divan.

"We will meet again in a few hours," said Mr. Blunt.

"Don't forget to come," he said, addressing me. "Oh, yes, do.
Have no scruples. I am authorized to make invitations."

He must have noticed my shyness, my surprise, my embarrassment.
And indeed I didn't know what to say.

"I assure you there isn't anything incorrect in your coming," he
insisted, with the greatest civility. "You will be introduced by
two good friends, Mills and myself. Surely you are not afraid of a