He was a good deal surprised, though he did not show it, to find the office deserted.
Phellion.

"My young friend" [he rose, a rare thing], "do you know what is going on?
what scandals are rife about Monsieur Rabourdin whom you love, and" [bending to whisper in Sebastien's ear] "whom I love as much as I respect him.

They say he has committed the imprudence to leave a paper containing comments on the officials lying about in the office--" [Phellion stopped short, caught the young man in his strong arms, seeing that he turned pale and was near fainting, and placed him on a chair.] "A key, Monsieur Poiret, to put down his back; have you a key ?" Poiret.

"I have the key of my domicile." [Old Poiret junior promptly inserted the said key between Sebastien's shoulders, while Phellion gave him some water to drink.

The poor lad no sooner opened his eyes than he began to weep.