Steiner, La Faloise, Philippe and others, besides, had presented themselves, and at the end of the lad's first phrase they burst into exclamations.

The thing was impossible! It must be a farce! After which they grew serious and gazed with an embarrassed expression at her bedroom door.

They shook their heads; it was no laughing matter.
Till midnight a dozen gentlemen had stood talking in low voices in front of the fireplace.

All were friends; all were deeply exercised by the same idea of paternity.

They seemed to be mutually excusing themselves, and they looked as confused as if they had done something clumsy.
Eventually, however, they put a bold face on the matter.