The count listened to these arguments with downcast eyes and expressionless face.

Vandeuvres felt him to be hesitating when the Marquis de Chouard approached with a look of interrogation.

And when the latter was informed of the question in hand and Fauchery had invited him in his turn, he looked at his son-in-law furtively.

There ensued an embarrassed silence, but both men encouraged one another and would doubtless have ended by accepting had not Count Muffat perceived M.Venot's gaze fixed upon him.

The little old man was no longer smiling; his face was cadaverous, his eyes bright and keen as steel.
"No," replied the count directly, in so decisive a tone that further insistence became impossible.
Then the marquis refused with even greater severity of expression.