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Madame Midas by Fergus Hume
page 43 of 420 (10%)
Mrs Villiers rather liked the looks of this young man; there was a
certain fascination about him which few women could resist, and
Madame, although steeled to a considerable extent by experience, was
yet a woman. His companion, however, she did not care about--he had
a sullen and lowering countenance, and looked rather dangerous.

'What is your name?' she asked the young man.

'Gaston Vandeloup.'

'You are a gentleman?'

He bowed, but said nothing.

'And you?' asked Madame, sharply turning to the other.

He looked up and touched his mouth.

'Pardon him not answering, Madame,' interposed Vandeloup, 'he has
the misfortune to be dumb.'

'Dumb?' echoed Madame, with a glance of commiseration, while Archie
looked startled, and Selina mentally observed that silence was
golden.

'Yes, he has been so from his birth,--at least, so he gives me to
understand,' said Gaston, with a shrug of his shoulders, which
insinuated a doubt on the subject; 'but it's more likely the result
of an accident, for he can hear though he cannot speak. However, he
is strong and willing to work; and I also, if you will kindly give
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