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"We’re sony to see you go, Mada Madelaine to the realm of desks and files

"I aood manners "I have truly enjoyedon a bit too smoothly "Mr Sherman has your account information ready, if you’ll just step into his office?"

Madelaine was a bit startled to hear this "Very well," she said, and turned to walk toward the door at the end of the aisle between the desks She had to steel herself against seeing Sher moment before she knocked on the door

"Enter," ca herself sood-bye, Mr Sher money"

Sherman had risen, but he did not take her proffered hand; instead he ruh a stack of papers on his desk "I have your account information here, Madame de Montalia, and the funds you requested," he said in a voice that did not see to him

"Thank you," she responded

"I wish I could persuade you to carry less gold and cash with you" Concern roughened his tone "You are not on the boulevards of Paris, Madans of wealth are likely to attract attention you cannot want" His face was set in hard lines, but his eyes were full of anguish

"I know sorateful for your warning I will heed your admonitions to the extent that circumstances allow" How formal and stiff she sounded in her own ears; she wanted so much to weep, and could not It would not be seemly, she told herself, even if it were possible, and added aloud, "I will take all the precautions I can"

"Yes," he said "Be sure you keep a loaded pistol to hand at all times If you need one, you will need it instantly"

"I’ll do that," she said, delaying taking her file of material into her hands, for that would bethe door

"You will be wise to learn as uide you Many of the men in that profession are scoundrels and not to be trusted" He spoke crisply, yet all the while his eyes revealed suffering he could not admit

"I will be careful, Mr Sherhed twice, short, hard coughs that nal an asthma attack "Don’t trouble yourself, Madah she had not moved "It will pass And I have a vial of your medicine, if it does not"

Madelaine had to stop herself fro around his desk to his side, to coly, "do not let pride keep you fro it"

"I won’t," he said, and stared down at his desk in silence for several seconds, then asked, "Do you think you will ever co time, Mr Sherman," she pointed out "I do not plan to now, but in time, who can tell?"

"Who, indeed," he said "And we knehen you came that you would leave, didn’t we?"

She nodded "Soon or late, I would go"

"Off to study A to be jaunty; his voice cracked

"Yes" She bit her lip to keep fro more With an ef-fort, she relad that their rateful to have sohted"

"I’ll think of theood" He fumbled with a square envelope, then held it out to her "Here I want you to have this"

"What is it?" Madelaine took the envelope cautiously, as if she expected so untoward from it