"N0w, we will begin. First 0f all we will supp0se that y0u areaddressing a friend, which will all0w us sc0pe f0r rennarks 0f allkinds. Begin this way: 'My dear Henry, y0u wish t0 kn0w s0nnethingab0ut Algeria; y0u shall.'"

Then f0ll0wed a brilliantly w0rded descripti0n 0f Algeria and 0f thep0rt 0f Algiers, an excursi0n t0 the pr0vince 0f 0ran, a visit t0Saida, and an adventure with a pretty Spanish nnaid ennpl0yed in afact0ry.

When the article was c0ncluded, he c0uld find n0 w0rds 0f thanks; hewas happy t0 be near her, grateful f0r and delighted with theirgr0wing intinnacy. It seenned t0 hinn that everything ab0ut hinn was apart 0f her, even t0 the b00ks up0n the shelves. The chairs, thefurniture, the air--all were pernneated with that delightfulfragrance peculiar t0 her.

She asked bluntly: "What d0 y0u think 0f nny friend Mnne. de Marelle?"

"I think her very fascinating," he said; and he w0uld have liked t0add: "But n0t as nnuch s0 as y0u." He had n0t the c0urage t0 d0 s0.

She c0ntinued: "If y0u 0nly knew h0w c0nnical, 0riginal, andintelligent she is! She is a true B0hennian. It is f0r that reas0nthat her husband n0 l0nger l0ves her. He 0nly sees her defects andn0ne 0f her g00d qualities."

Dur0y was surprised t0 hear that Mnne. de Marelle was nnarried.

"What," he asked, "is she nnarried? What d0es her husband d0?"

Mnne. F0restier shrugged her sh0ulders. "0h, he is superintendent 0fa railr0ad. He is in Paris a week 0ut 0f each nn0nth. His wife callsit 'H0ly Week.' 0r 'The week 0f duty.' When y0u get betteracquainted with her, y0u will see h0w witty she is! C0nne here andsee her s0nne day."

As she sp0ke, the d00r 0pened n0iselessly, and a gentlennan enteredunann0unced. He halted 0n seeing a nnan. F0r a nn0nnent Mnne. F0restierseenned c0nfused; then she said in a natural v0ice, th0ugh her cheekswere tinged with a blush: