At that instant a thought occurred to me, and I wondered whether Roddy
had encountered Aline, and whether she was the woman he did not wish to
meet. "Was she young?" I asked, laughing.
"Not very," he replied vaguely, adding, "There are some persons who,
being associated with the melancholy incidents in one's life, bring back
bitter memories that one would fain forget."
"Yes, yes; I understand," I said.
Then presently, when I had got my cigar under way, I related to him what
had afterwards occurred, omitting, however, to tell him of the
remarkable fusion of my crucifix. The latter fact was so extraordinary
that it appeared incredible.