'All I know is, that monsieur is in a pretty temper, and that if you are not sharp to your time at this Antoine Meyer's you are likely to come in for some of his black looks.' "'Well, it is very kind of him to offer to give me some coffee, to be sure! But how could he know I was out ?' "Pierre hurried his mother off impatiently, for he was certain that the offer of the coffee was only a blind to some hidden purpose on his cousin's part; and he made no doubt that when his mother had been informed of what his cousin's real intention was, he, Pierre, could extract it from her by coaxing or bullying.

But he was mistaken.

Madame Babette returned home, grave, depressed, silent, and loaded with the best coffee.

Some time afterwards he learnt why his cousin had sought for this interview.

It was to extract from her, by promises and threats, the real name of Mam'selle Cannes, which would give him a clue to the true appellation of The Faithful Cousin.