Andre-Louis' wits were numbed.

He stood aghast, all thought suspended in him, what time M.de Vilmorin's eyes continued fixed upon M.de La Tour d'Azyr's, as if searching there for a meaning that eluded him.

Quite suddenly he understood the vile affront.

The blood leapt to his face, fire blazed in his gentle eyes.

A convulsive quiver shook him.