He had lost something of the cold, blase air which had ennobled him in the eyes of the young women.

He looked around presently, and said with a comfortable shrug: "It is so pleasant to talk English again! My wife detests it.

We speak only French.

I feel like an alien and outcast among you!" He laughed; his mother glanced at him curiously.

But Lucy turned her face away, afraid that he should see it.