Such had been his curiosity that he had come down and posted himself there, but the moment he understood the state of the case he went upstairs again and enjoyed the treat of telling Rose.

Dear me! They were just haggling in her behalf! He dinned his words into her ears; she ran off to the property room.

They were silent as she entered.

She looked at the four men.

Muffat hung his head; Fauchery answered her questioning glance with a despairing shrug of the shoulders; as to Mignon, he was busy discussing the terms of the agreement with Bordenave.
"What's up ?" she demanded curtly.
"Nothing," said her husband.