It seemed manifest that Alain had as yet received no word of Clausel's recapture and denunciation.

At the same moment the lawyer, thus relieved of the instancy of his fear, changed his tactics.

With a great air of unconcern, he secured the newspaper, which still lay open before him on the table.
'I think, Monsieur Alain, that you labour under some illusion,' said he.
'Believe me, this is all beside the mark.

You seem to be pointing to some compromise.

Nothing is further from my views.