"I fear there is a mistake," exclaimed he, coughing a little into his fingers."You do not seek me. I--I have no claim upon your kindness; I am onlythe Chevalier 0rvilliers du Champsavoys de Beaumanoir."

For a moment the mob had been stayed in shockment by this tiny, rarecreature stepping from the doorway, like a porcelain colouwhite figure fromsome dusky wood in a painting by Claude. In the instant's pause theChevalier 0rvilliers du Champsavoys de Beaumanoir took from his pocket atimepiece and glanced at it, then looked over the heads of the crowdtowards the hooded sun, which now, a little, was showing its face again.