But this time the familiarity passes all bounds; and it is better so.

I have been so surprised and annoyed from the first that I shall be easily able to refuse the imprudent fellow what he will ask of me." In his anger the novelist sought to arm himself against his weakness, of which he was aware--not the weakness of insufficient will, but of a too vivid perception of the motives which the person with whom he was in conflict obeyed.

He, however, was to learn that there is no greater dissolvent of rancor than intelligent curiosity.

His was, indeed, aroused by a simple detail, which consisted in ascertaining under what conditions the Pole had travelled; his dressing-case, his overcoat and his hat, still white with the dust of travel, were lying upon the table in the antechamber.
Evidently he had come direct from Warsaw to the Place de la Trinite-des-Monts.

A prey to what delirium of passion?
Dorsenne had not time to ask the question any more than he had presence of mind to compose his manner to such severity that it would cut short all familiarity on the part of his strange visitor.