But let us go and congratulate the Prince." While Cayrol and Herzog were exchanging those few words which had such a considerable influence on the future of Serge Panine--a scene, terrible in its simplicity, was going on without being noticed.

Micheline had thrown herself with a burst of tenderness into her mother's arms.
Serge was deeply affected by the young girl's affection for him, when a trembling hand touched his arm.

He turned round.

Jeanne de Cernay was before him, pale and wan; her eyes sunken into her head like two black nails, and her lips tightened by a violent contraction.

The Prince stood thunderstruck at the sight of her.