In one corner a gentleman was seated at a writing table, who, as he made entries in a ledger, was talking to a woman who stood beside him.
"M.

Mascarin ?" asked Paul hesitatingly.
"What do you want with him ?" asked the man, without looking up from his work.

"Do you wish to enter your name?
We have now vacancies for three bookkeepers, a cashier, a confidential clerk--six other good situations.
Can you give good references ?" These words seemed to be uttered by rote.
"I beg your pardon," returned Paul; "but I should like to see M.
Mascarin.

One of his friends sent me here." This statement evidently impressed the official, and he replied almost politely, "M.

Mascarin is much occupied at present, sir; but he will soon be disengaged.