It is possible that we may come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement.

Monsieur Howard naturally wished to be presented to you." Madame bowed, her clear dark eyes resting almost musingly on my face.
She waited for me to speak, whereas nine women out of ten would have broken silence.
"I have explained to Monsieur le Vicomte," I hastened to say, "that I have none of the requisite qualifications for the post, and that my female relatives--my aunts, in fact--looked upon me as a _mauvais sujet_." She smiled, and her eyes sought the lace-work held in her busy fingers.

Mademoiselle de Clericy had, I remembered, worn a piece of such dainty needlework at her throat on the previous morning.

I learnt to look for that piece of ever-growing lace-work in later days.
Madame was never without it, and worked quaint patterns, learnt in a convent on the pine-clad slopes of Var.
"Monsieur Howard," went on the Vicomte, "is a gentleman of position in his own country on the east coast of England.

He has, however, had a difference--a difference with his father." The eyes were raised to my face for a brief moment.
"In the matter of a marriage of convenience," I added, giving the plain truth on the impulse of the moment, or under the influence, perhaps, of Madame de Clericy's glance.