Such a visit, at such an hour, with the persons who were in the atelier, seemed to him so dangerous that he ran downstairs immediately.

He took up his hat and his cane, to justify his presence in the hall by the very natural excuse that he was going out.

He reached the middle of the staircase just in time to stop the servant, who had decided to "go and see," and, bowing to Boleslas with more formality than usual: "My brother-in-law is not there, Monsieur," said he; and he added, turning to the footman, in order to dispose of him in case an altercation should arise between the importunate visitor and himself, "Nero, fetch me a handkerchief from my room.

I have forgotten mine." "That order could not be meant for me, Monsieur," insisted Boleslas.
"Monsieur Maitland has made an appointment with me, with Madame Steno, in order to show us Alba's portrait." "It is no order," replied Florent.

"I repeat to you that my brother-in-law has gone out.