safe with that woman?"

"Oh, yes, quite safe," said M. Lacordaire; and then there was
another little pause.

Mrs. Thompson was sitting on a broken fragment of a stone just
outside the entrance to the old family kitchen, and M. Lacordaire
was standing immediately before her. He had in his hand a little
cane with which he sometimes slapped his boots and sometimes poked
about among the rubbish. His hat was not quite straight on his
head, having a little jaunty twist to one side, with reference to
which, by-the-bye, Mrs. Thompson then resolved that she would make a
change, should ever the gentleman become her own property. He still
wore his gloves, and was very smart; but it was clear to see that he
was not at his ease.

"I hope the heat does not incommode you," he said after a few
moments' silence. Mrs. Thompson declared that it did not, that she
liked a good deal of heat, and that, on the whole, she was very well
where she was. She was afraid, however, that she was detaining M.
Lacordaire, who might probably wish to be moving about upon the
rock. In answer to which M. Lacordaire declared that he never could
be so happy anywhere as in her close vicinity.

"You are too good to me," said Mrs. Thompson, almost sighing. "I
don't know what my stay here would have been without your great
kindness."

"It is madame that has been kind to me," said M. Lacordaire,
pressing the handle of his cane against his heart.