"I wish they were intelligent enough to be led in the middle of the
path," said Miss Ruth, "but I suppose the guide knows."

"You may trust to him; he is a person of varied accomplishments, the
chief of which is he doesn't understand a word of English. So you can
scold, or say anything you like, without the least reserve. I picked him
out for that," added Lynde, with a bland smile. "His comrade was a
linguist."

"If I have anything disagreeable to say," replied Miss Ruth, with
another bland smile, "I shall say it in French."

The guide, who spoke four languages, including English, never changed a
muscle. Lynde, just before starting, had closely examined the two guides
on their lingual acquirements--and retained the wrong man.

"I trust you will have no occasion, Miss Denham, to be anything but
amiable, and that you will begin by granting me a favor. Will you?"

"Cela depend."

"There you go into French! I haven't offended you?"

"Oh, no. What is the favor?--in English."

"That you will let me call you Miss Ruth, instead of Miss Denham."

"I haven't the slightest objection, Mr. Lynde."

"And now I want you"--