She had separated herself now from Bartot, and with an involuntary movement I came over to her side.

Then the tension was suddenly broken.

It was Louis who showed his teeth, but it was with the razor-edge of civility.
"Monsieur Bartot is very welcome," he said, speaking in French.
"Monsieur Bartot has promised so often to make this visit, and has always disappointed us." Bartot was no match for this sort of thing.

His few muttered words at first were scarcely coherent.

Louis bent towards him, always with the same attitude of polite attention.
"If there is anything I can do," he said softly.