VIII

All at once, on the Promenade, as it was called⁠—that is to say, in the Chestnut Avenue⁠—I came face to face with my Englishman.

“I was just coming to see you,” he said; “and you appear to be out on a similar errand. So you have parted with your employers?”

“How do you know that?” I asked in astonishment. “Is everyone aware of the fact?”

“By no means. Not everyone would consider such a fact to be of moment. Indeed, I have never heard anyone speak of it.”

“Then how come you to know it?”

“Because I have had occasion to do so. Whither are you bound? I like you, and was therefore coming to pay you a visit.”

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