confessed to the sending of the letter. Oh yes, he might present

himself at his great lady's house; he would be well received! After

long hesitation he had come despite everything--out of sheer

courage. But La Faloise's imbecile pleasantry had upset him in

spite of his apparent tranquillity.

"What's the matter?" asked Philippe. "You seem in trouble."

"I do? Not at all. I've been working: that's why I came so late."

Then coldly, in one of those heroic moods which, although unnoticed,