Will that do ?" "Good morning, sir." "Good morning, Gerard." So the interview was over, and Gerard Maule left the room.

The father, as soon as he was alone, immediately lit another cigarette, took up his French novel, and went to work as though he was determined to be happy and comfortable again without losing a moment.

But he found this to be beyond his power.

He had been really disturbed, and could not easily compose himself.

The cigarette was almost at once chucked into the fire, and the little volume was laid on one side.