For a minute or two no one noticed him; and then Albert de Chantonnay, remembering his role, came forward to greet the Englishman.
"It was," explained Colville, in a lowered voice, "as we thought.

An attempt was made to get him out of the way, but he effected his escape.
He knew, however, the danger of attempting to communicate with any of us by post, and was awaiting some opportunity of transmitting a letter by a safe hand, when I discovered his hiding-place." And this was the story that went half round France, from lip to lip, among those who were faithful to the traditions of a glorious past.
"Madame St.Pierre Lawrence," Albert de Chantonnay told Colville, in reply, "is not here to-night.

She is, however, at her villa, at Royan.
She has not, perhaps, displayed such interest in our meetings as she did before you departed on your long journey through France.

But her generosity is unchanged.

The money, which, in the hurry of the moment, you did not withdraw from her bank--" "I doubt whether it was ever there," interrupted Colville.
"She informs me," concluded Albert, "is still at our service.