Indeed, in about five minutes the deputy reappeared with Albacina, who begged Jeanne to enter the Minister's room with him.

The two ladies had not expected this, and Donna Rosetta asked her husband if it were not he himself who wished to speak with Jeanne.
His Excellency did not allow himself to be disturbed for so little; he dismissed his wife in a summary manner, and hurried Signora Dessalle, taken by surprise, into the Minister's presence.

When he presented her to his superior, she was embarrassed and almost angry.
The Minister received her with the most respectful courtesy, with the manner of a stern man, who honours woman, but keeps her at a distance.
He had known the banker Dessalle, Jeanne's father, and immediately spoke of him: "A man," he said, "who had much gold in his coffers, but the purest gold of all in his conscience!" He added that the memory of this man had encouraged him to speak with her about a very delicate matter.

When he had spoken those words, or rather while he was speaking them, Jeanne felt sure that this man knew the past.

She could not refrain from glancing stealthily at the Under-Secretary.