To tell you that at this moment visions floated in my mind, before which Dante’s visions of Paradise would seem pale and tame, were but to put it mildly.  I was literally soaring in heaven.  For you see I am a man of intellect and of action.  No sooner do I see possibilities before me than my brain soars in an empyrean whilst conceiving daring plans for my body’s permanent abode in elysium.  At this present moment, for instance—­to name but a few of the beatific visions which literally dazzled me with their radiance—­I could see my fair client as a lovely and blushing bride by my side, even whilst Messieurs X. and X., the two still unknown English lawyers, handed me a heavy bag which bore the legend “One hundred thousand francs.”  I could see . . .  But I had not the time now to dwell on these ravishing dreams.  The beauteous creature was waiting for my decision.  She had placed her fate in my hands; I placed my hand on my heart.

“Mademoiselle,” I said solemnly, “I will be your adviser and your friend.  Give me but a few days’ grace, every hour, every minute of which I will spend in your service.  At the end of that time I will not only have learned the name and address of the English lawyers, but I will have communicated with them on your behalf, and all your papers proving your identity will be in your hands.  Then we can come to a decision with regard to a happier and more comfortable home for you.  In the meanwhile I entreat you to do nothing that may precipitate Mr. Farewell’s actions.  Do not encourage his advances, but do not repulse them, and above all keep me well informed of everything that goes on in his house.”

She spoke a few words of touching gratitude, then she rose, and with a gesture of exquisite grace she extracted a hundred-franc note from her reticule and placed it upon my desk.

“Mademoiselle,” I protested with splendid dignity, “I have done nothing as yet.”

“Ah! but you will, Monsieur,” she entreated in accents that completed my subjugation to her charms.  “Besides, you do not know me!  How could I expect you to work for me and not to know if, in the end, I should repay you for all your trouble?  I pray you to take this small sum without demur.  Mr. Farewell keeps me well supplied with pocket money.  There will be another hundred for you when you place the papers in my hands.”

I bowed to her, and, having once more assured her of my unswerving loyalty to her interests, I accompanied her to the door, and anon saw her graceful figure slowly descend the stairs and then disappear along the corridor.

Then I went back to my room, and was only just in time to catch Theodore calmly pocketing the hundred-franc note which my fair client had left on the table.  I secured the note and I didn’t give him a black eye, for it was no use putting him in a bad temper when there was so much to do.

2.