"But they--but they"-- and he paused again.

"You saw them; they dismissed you, face to face ?" "Face to face.

They were very explicit." "What did they say ?" "They said they couldn't stand a commercial person." Valentin put out his hand and laid it upon Newman's arm.

"And about their promise--their engagement with you ?" "They made a distinction.

They said it was to hold good only until Madame de Cintre accepted me." Valentin lay staring a while, and his flush died away.