There had been some story about him--nobody knew what it was.
Madame Frabelle instantly took his side, and said she was sure he had
been ill-treated, though she knew nothing whatever about it. She was
placed next to him at table and began immediately on what she thought
was his special subject.
'I understand that you're very modern in your views,' she said, smiling.
'I!' he exclaimed in some surprise. 'Really you are quite mistaken. I
don't think I am at all.'
'Really? Oh, I'm so glad--I've such a worship myself for tradition. I'm
so thankful that you have, too.'
'I don't know that I have,' he said.
'It's true, then, what I heard--I felt it was the moment I looked at
you, Mr Fraser--I mean, that you're an atheist.'
'A _what_?' he exclaimed, turning pale with horror. 'Good heavens,
Madame, do you know what my profession is?'
He seemed utterly puzzled by her. She managed, all the same, somehow or
other to lure him into a conversation in which she _heartily_ took his
side. By the end of lunch they were getting on splendidly, though
neither of them knew what they were talking about.
And this was one of the curious characteristics of Madame Frabelle.
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