The mistress was too hasty about the business; it was no use deciding without reflecting.

Certainly, nobody esteemed Pierre Delarue more than he did; but it was necessary to know whether Micheline loved him.

A childish affection was not love, and Prince Panine thought he might hope that Mademoiselle Desvarennes---- The mistress did not allow Cayrol to finish his sentence; she rang the bell and asked for her daughter.

This time, Cayrol prudently took the opportunity of disappearing.

He had opened fire; it was for Micheline to decide the result of the battle.