Radet was a cadaverous, weatherworn, passion-worn individual, badger-grey, and worked up into a grotesquely attitudinised fury of injured self-esteem.

The other was a denationalised, shifty-eyed, sallow, grey-bearded governor of one of the provinces of the Systeme Groenlandais; had a closely barbered head, a bull neck, and a great belly.

He cast furtive glances round him, uncertain whether to escape or to wait for his say.

He looked at the ring that encircled the window at a little distance, and his face, which had betrayed a half-apparent shame, hardened at sight of the cynical masks of the cosmopolitan conspirators.

They were amused by the scene.
The Holsteiner gained confidence, shrugged his shoulders.
"You have had the fever very badly since you came back," he said, showing a level row of white teeth.