And in a manner he was pre-armed; for he knew that he would not be welcome.

It was in those days a long journey, for the railway was laid no farther than Tours, from whence the traveller must needs post to La Rochelle, and there take a boat to Royan--that shallow harbour at the mouth of the Gironde.
"Must have a change--of cooking," he explained to Mrs.St.Pierre Lawrence.

"Doctor says I am getting too stout." He shook her deliberately by the hand without appearing to notice her blank looks.
"So I came south and shall finish up at Biarritz, which they say is going to be fashionable.

I hope it is not inconvenient for you to give me a bed--a solid one--for a night or two." "Oh no!" answered Mrs.St.Pierre Lawrence, who had charming manners, and was one of those fortunate persons who are never at a loss.

"Did you not receive my telegram ?" "Telling me you were counting the hours till my arrival ?" "Well," admitted Mrs.St.Pierre Lawrence, wisely reflecting that he would ultimately see the telegram, "hardly so fervent as that--" "Good Lord!" interrupted Turner, looking behind her toward the veranda, which was cool and shady, where two men were seated near a table bearing coffee-cups.