Forgive my scruples, which are perhaps exaggerated and absurd.

All he has of his own are his self-respect and his natural pride." As she spoke, Sabine rang the bell, to show her visitor that the conversation was at an end.
"Have you informed my mother of M.de Breulh-Faverlay's arrival ?" asked she, as the footman appeared at the door.
"I have not, mademoiselle; for both the Count and Countess gave the strictest order that they were not to be disturbed on any pretext whatsoever." "Why did you not tell me that before ?" demanded M.de Breulh; and, without waiting for any explanation, he bowed gravely to Sabine, and quitted the room, after apologizing for his involuntary intrusion, and by his manner permitted all the domestics to see that he was much put out.
"Ah!" sighed Sabine, "that man is worthy of some good and true woman's affection." As she was about to leave the room, she heard some one insisting upon seeing the Count de Mussidan.

Not being desirous of meeting strangers, she remained where she was.

The servant persisted in saying that his master could receive no one.
"What do I care for your orders ?" cried the visitor; "your master would never refuse to see his friend the Baron de Clinchain;" and, thrusting the lackey on one side, he entered the drawing-room; and his agitation was so great that he hardly noticed the presence of the young girl.
M.de Clinchain was a thoroughly commonplace looking personage in face, figure, and dress, neither tall nor short, handsome nor ill-looking.

The only noticeable point in his attire was that he wore a coral hand on his watch chain; for the Baron was a firm believer in the evil eye.