Indeed, Jean Jacques was not so old that she would have found it difficult to take a well-defined and warm interest in him, were circumstances propitious.

She held out the letter to him at once.

"It is from my sister in the West--at Shilah," she explained.

"There is nothing in it you can't read, and most of it concerns you." Jean Jacques took the letter, but he could not bring himself to read it, for Virginie Poucette's manner was not suggestive of happy tidings.

After an instant's hesitation he handed the letter to M.Fille, who pressed his lips with an air of determination, and put on his glasses.
Jean Jacques saw the face of the Clerk of the Court flush and then turn pale as he read the letter.