"Monsieur, I beseech you to be seated. I will summon my father,
and we will find a bed for you. You must not retain those clothes."

"Angel of goodness!" I muttered gratefully, and being still half
dazed, I brought some of my Court tricks into that chamber by
taking her hand and carrying it towards my lips. But ere I had
imprinted the intended kiss upon her fingers - and by some miracle
they were not withdrawn - my eyes encountered hers again. I paused
as one may pause who contemplates a sacrilege. For a moment she
held my glance with hers; then I fell abashed, and released her hand.

The innocence peeping out of that child's eyes it was that had in
that moment daunted me, and made me tremble to think of being found
there, and of the vile thing it would be to have her name coupled
with mine. That thought lent me strength. I cast my weariness from
me as though it were a garment, and, straightening myself, I stepped
of a sudden to the window. Without a word, I made shift to draw back
the curtain when her hand, falling on my sodden sleeve, arrested me.

"What will you do, monsieur?" she cried in alarm. "You may be seen."

My mind was now possessed by the thing I should have thought of
before. I climbed to her balcony, and my one resolve was to get me
thence as quickly as might be.

"I had not the right to enter here," I muttered. "I--" I stopped
short; to explain would only be to sully, and so, "Good-night!
Adieu!" I ended brusquely.

"But, monsieur--" she began.