character, which is very much the opposite of my own, that even in
these days, when he was of service to me, I approached him with
suspicion and reserve.

I looked over his exercise in the usual form, and marked six
faults.

'H'm. Six,' says he, looking at the paper. 'Very annoying! I can
never get it right.'

'Oh, but you make excellent progress!' I said. I would not
discourage him, you understand, but he was congenitally unable to
learn French. Some fire, I think, is needful, and he had quenched
his fire in soapsuds.

He put the exercise down, leaned his chin upon his hand, and looked
at me with clear, severe eyes.

'I think we must have a little talk,' said he.

'I am entirely at your disposition,' I replied; but I quaked, for I
knew what subject to expect.

'You have been some time giving me these lessons,' he went on, 'and
I am tempted to think rather well of you. I believe you are a
gentleman.'

'I have that honour, sir,' said I.

'You have seen me for the same period. I do not know how I strike