In my eagerness to escape the gaze of all those eyes, and the tittering which was audible behind me, I took a step forward to be in readiness to follow him.

But he gave no sign.
'M.

de Marsac to see the King of Navarre' was all he said, speaking as the other had close to those behind.

And with that he too wheeled round and went back to the fire.
I stared, a first faint suspicion of the truth aroused in my mind.
Before I could act upon it, however--in such a situation it was no easy task to decide how to act--a third advanced with the same measured steps.

'By appointment I think, sir ?' he said, bowing lower than the others.
'Yes,' I replied sharply, beginning to grow warm, 'by appointment at noon.' 'M.