"I beg your pardon.

They told me at the office of avocat Prideaux that M'sieu' Masson was here.
So I came; but be sure I would not interrupt you if there was not cause." M.Fille came forward and took her hand respectfully.

"Madame, it is the first time you have honoured me here.

I am very glad to receive you.
Monsieur and Mademoiselle Zoe, they are with you?
They will also come in perhaps ?" M.Fille was courteous and kind, yet he felt that a duty was devolving on him, imposed by his superior officer, Judge Carcasson, and by his own conscience, and with courage he faced the field of trouble which his simple question opened up.

George Masson had but now said there had been nothing more than he himself had seen from the hill behind the Manor; and he had further said, in effect, that all was ended between Carmen Barbille and himself; yet here they were together, when they ought to be a hundred miles apart for many a day.