That was a thing to be avoided at all costs; and even as this occurred to him he saw the way to avoid it.

Basterga and Grio were absent: if this fool could be removed, even for an hour or two, Anne would have the house to herself, and by midnight the crisis might be overpast.
"I will come with you," he said.
Louis uttered a sigh of relief.

He had expected--and he had very nearly received--another answer.

"Good," he said.

"But he does not want me." "Both or neither," Claude replied coolly.