And then, stiffly, "Come with me," he continued.
He turned as he spoke and led the way to a spot at some distance from the house, yet within sight of the door; there he wheeled about.

"I was coming to see you," he said, steadfastly confronting Claude.

"Why have you not called upon me, young man, in accordance with the invitation I gave you ?" Claude stared.

The Syndic's matter-of-factness and the ease with which he ignored what had just passed staggered him.

Perhaps after all Blondel had come for this, and had been startled while waiting at the door by the quickness of his approach.