It did not suit me at present to put him into my confidence, so I cut him, Harry, as I would an old pencil.

The task was the less difficult, that I had to do with one of the most absent men that ever dreamed with his eyes open.

I verily believe he might be persuaded that the whole transaction was a vision, and that he had never in reality seen me before.

Your pious rebuke, therefore, about what I told him formerly concerning the lovers, is quite thrown away.

After all, if what I said was not accurately true, as I certainly believe it was an exaggeration, it was all Saint Francis of Martigny's fault, I suppose.