Is it not very fitting that he should be with me now to receive you ?" "But he, at least, is in my debt," cried Mademoiselle, now making a step forward, and sustained by an excitement born of hope.

"Whatever may be my father's sins, M.la Boulaye, at least, will not seek to visit them upon the daughter, for he owes his life to me, and he will not forget the debt." Charlot's brows were suddenly knit with vexation.

He half-turned to La Boulaye, as if to speak; but ere he could utter a word-- "The debt has been paid, Citoyenne," said Caron impassively.
Before that cold answer, so coldly delivered, Mademoiselle recoiled.
"Paid!" she echoed mechanically.
"Aye, paid," he rejoined.

"You claimed your brother's life in payment, and I gave it to you.

Do you not think that we are quits?
Besides," he ended suddenly, "Captain Tardivet is the master here.