His eyes looked troubled as they were raised to La Boulaye's.

Then they fell again, and there was a pause.

At last--.
"I shall be glad to avail myself of your offer," he said, in a voice that for meekness was ludicrously at variance with his late utterances.
"Then pray do so at once." And La Boulaye took down an inkhorn a quill, and a sheaf of paper from the mantel-shelf behind him.

These he placed on the table, and setting a chair, he signed to the aristocrat to be seated.
"And now, Citizen Cadoux," said La Boulaye, turning to the old nobleman, "I shall be glad if you will honour me by sharing my breakfast while Citizen Ombreval is at his writing." Des Cadoux looked up in some surprise.
"You are too good, Monsieur," said he, inclining his head.

"But afterwards ?" "I have decided," said La Boulaye, with the ghost of a smile, "to deal with your case myself, Citizen." The old dandy took a deep breath, but the glance of his blue eyes was steadfast, and his lips smiled as he made answer: "Again you are too good.