"Morand," continued Dixmer, who failed not to notice this start, "Morand said to me again and again this morning, 'Do all in your power to bring back Maurice.'"
"Monsieur," said the young man, frowning and drawing away his hand, "I did not believe I stood very high in the estimation of Monsieur Morand."
"Do you doubt it?" said Dixmer.
"I!" replied Maurice, "I neither believe nor doubt it, and have no motive to inquire on the subject. When I went to your house it was to visit yourself and your wife, and not on account of Monsieur Morand."
"You do not know him, Maurice," said Dixmer; "Morand possesses a noble soul."
"I grant it," said Maurice, smiling bitterly.
"Let us, however, return to the object of my visit," continued Dixmer.
Maurice bowed, like a man who hears all, but has nothing more to say.
"You say, then, that these reports have already circulated?"
"Yes, Citizen."