Thetwocorrespondentsthereforebeganbycautiouslysoundingeachother。
“Really，mydearsir，thislittlefeteischarming！“
saidAlcideJolivetpleasantly，thinkinghimselfobligedtobegintheconversationwiththiseminentlyFrenchphrase。
“Ihavetelegraphedalready，’splendid！’“repliedHarryBlountcalmly，employingthewordspeciallydevotedtoexpressingadmirationbyallsubjectsoftheUnitedKingdom。
“Nevertheless，“addedAlcideJolivet，“Ifeltcompelledtoremarktomycousin——“