You've already compromised yourself enough in that way." The young man made a gesture--the gesture of a Caesar crossing the Rubicon--and by doing so escaped entering into any verbal engagement.

As he was about to withdraw, his mother, looking for the knot in his sling, remarked: "First of all, you must let me take off this rag.

It's getting a little ridiculous, you know!" Aristide let her remove it.

When the silk handkerchief was untied, he folded it neatly and placed it in his pocket.

And as he kissed his mother he exclaimed: "Till to-morrow then!" In the meanwhile, Rougon was taking official possession of the mayor's offices.