"Too late!" he repeated with protruded lips.
Blondel glared at him as if he would annihilate him.

Too late?
What did this creature know?
Or how could it be too late, if Basterga had not returned?
Yet the Syndic was shaken.

His fingers no longer tingled for the other's cheek; he no longer panted to break the silence in a way that should startle him.

On the contrary, he listened; while his eyes passed swiftly round the room, to gather what was amiss.

But all seemed in order.