He had no sooner uttered it than he experienced such an excess of anger that he would at that moment almost have preferred not to be believed.

It would indeed have been a comfort to him if his visitor had replied by one of those insulting negations which permit one man to strike another, so great was his irritation.

On the contrary, he saw the face of Madame Steno's lover turned toward him with an expression of gratitude upon it.

Boleslas's lips quivered, his hands were clasped, two large tears gushed from his burning eyes and rolled down his cheeks.

When he was able to speak, he moaned: "Ah, my friend, how much good you have done me! From what a nightmare you have relieved me.