Herr Rath was continuing his discourse and his listeners, taking their cigars from their mouths, were emitting grunts of approbation.

The arrival of Julio provoked a general smile of amiability.

Here was France coming to fraternize with them.

They knew that his father was French, and that fact made him as welcome as though he came in direct line from the palace of the Quai d'Orsay, representing the highest diplomacy of the Republic.

The craze for proselyting made them all promptly concede to him unlimited importance.
"We," continued the Counsellor looking fixedly at Desnoyers as if he were expecting a solemn declaration from him, "we wish to live on good terms with France." The youth nodded his head so as not to appear inattentive.