"Wonderful woman! Well, thereby hangs a tale, and I listen." "I came back to see--" "Not old Verage?" he interrupted, maliciously. "No, hush: he saw me safely on board the _Golden Rose_--very gallant of him, wasn't it?" "Rather--yes, considering. And if I did not know Miss Cora Weston so very well, I should be surprised at all this mystery; as it is, I simply wait to be enlightened." "And enlightened you shall be, monsieur." She threw off her air of listlessness and arose, crossing over and standing before him, leaning upon a high-backed chair, and speaking rapidly. Lucian, meantime, produced a cigar case, lit a weed, and assuming the attitude and manner she had just abandoned, bade her proceed. "You see," she said, "I did not like the idea of quitting the country because of a little difference of opinion between myself and an old idiot like Verage." "A difference of some thousands out of pocket for him; well, go on." "Just so, comrade mine. Well, fortune favored me; she generally does. I learned, at almost the last moment, that a lady of my acquaintance had taken passage in the same vessel. I interviewed her, and found her in the condition of the good people in novels who have seen better days; her exchequer was at low ebb, and, like myself, she had reasons which induced her to emigrate. I did not inquire into these, having no reason to doubt the statement, but I accompanied her on board the _Golden Rose_, bade her a fond farewell, and bequeathed to her my street apparel and a trifling sum of old Verage's money. In exchange, I donned her bonnet and veil, and adopted her rather awkward gait, and so had the satisfaction of seeing, on my return to terra firma, old Verage gazing enraptured after my Paris bonnet and floating veil as it disappeared with my friend, outward bound." "Well, what next? All the world, your world, supposes you now upon the briny deep. Old Verage will be rejoiced to find you here in the city; what then?" "I think he will," said Cora, dryly, "when he does find me. I did not come here in the dark to advertise my arrival." "Bravo, Cora," he patted her hands softly; "wise Cora. You are a credit to your friends, indeed you are, my blonde beauty." She laughed softly;--a kittenish, purring laugh. "Well, Lucian, time flies and I throw myself on your mercy. Recommend me to some nice quiet retreat, not too far from the city, but at a safe distance; put me in a carriage, at daylight, which will carry me out to some by-station, where I can take passage behind the iron horse, unmolested, for fresh fields and pastures new." Davlin pondered a moment as if he had not already decided upon his course of action. He knew the woman he had to deal with, and shaped his words accordingly. "A retired spot,--let me see. I wonder, by Jove,"--brightening suddenly, "I think I have the right thing for you." "Well, when Lucian Davlin 'thinks' he has a point, that point is gained; proceed, man of might."