I bowed low. The Countess Almara laid her hand in mine, our eyes met, her lips seemed to form the word 'Merci,' but she did not utter it aloud; then she turned brusquely and followed her mother, and they were soon out of sight. VII. I drew a long breath, stroked my beard thoughtfully, looked at my watch, and set out at a brisk pace for my lodgings. Before I had gone far I heard my name called, and turning, saw Mr. Jefferson Montgomery, who signalled to me with one gloved hand while with the other he lifted his hat in adieu to an elderly gentleman with a tremendous sweep of moustachios. My friend now hastened towards me, his white teeth flashing, his blue eyes beaming, and with a general air of prosperity and benevolence. 'I am so glad to see you, dear Campbell. But they told me you were going to leave us. Surely you're not?' 'What an idea! I shall be here at least a week.' Jeff took my arm with perfect cordiality and good faith. I did not want him, but there was nothing for it but to let the poor little man come. Arrived at my house, I sent him upstairs while I stopped to have a word with my landlady. 'Madame Enault, I shall be able to remain another week.' Madame Enault was delighted, but would Monsieur pardon her? 'Freely and completely. What then?' Only that, since Monsieur's notice to leave another monsieur had engaged the rooms, and Madame Enault had agreed with him for a month. 'Then let him know that you misunderstood me and that he must go elsewhere.' To a marvel; only, alas! this gentleman had deposited the hire of the rooms in advance. 'You will return his deposit to him.' Perfectly, but that, having had a heavy bill to meet, Madame Enault had been constrained to pay the money away. 'Ah! and Madame requires me to supply her with the cash in question?' Monsieur had exactly divined the necessity that unfortunately existed. Providence had treated me too well for me to be severe with so thrifty and unimpeachable a landlady; accordingly a financial transaction took place, the porter was remanded, and I went upstairs. 'And so you have been introduced,' said Jeff. He was reclining Adonis-like upon the lounge, exquisitely dressed. 'To whom do you refer?' 'Now don't be English and reticent. Whom should I mean but my countess? I do so want to hear your opinion of her.' I could not help laughing a little, for to be seriously angry with the bard of Beacon Street was not easy. 'Unless you wish to write yourself down irrevocably an ass, my dear boy, you will not again apply the possessive pronoun to the Countess Almara. It sounds much as if a horse-fly should speak of his proprietorship of a four-in-hand.' 'My dear Campbell, you are really impolite.' 'I know it, and I hold you responsible for forcing me to address you with such brutality. I'm not accustomed to it.'