“No. But I think it would be better for you not to recognise each other.”
“I thought so too. But without recognising him exactly, I should like to get to know him a little.”
“I suppose, though, that you don’t mean to fill a subordinate position like that for long?”
“Just long enough to look round.”
“And after that what do you think of doing, now that you are well off?”
“Why, yesterday I hardly had enough to eat, Sir. Give me time to take the measure of my appetite.”
At this moment Hector knocked at the door.
“Monsieur le Vicomte to see you, Sir. Shall I show him in?”
The old man’s forehead grew sombre. He kept silent for a moment, but when Lafcadio discreetly rose to take leave:
“Don’t go!” cried Juste-Agénor, so violently that the young man’s heart went out to him; then turning to Hector: