"I am proposing," said Lépine boldly, "that you permit nothing to interfere with the conference which Crochard requests."
"But Crochard—who is Crochard that I should disturb all my arrangements for him?"
"I will tell you who he is, sir," said Lépine, gently; "he is the man whom, next to yourself, I consider the most remarkable in France."
Delcassé softened. The compliment was, perhaps, not delicate, but it was at least deserved.
"You believe that?" he asked.
"Yes, I do believe it. I must tell you more of Crochard, some day. Beside him, I am a mere bungler—I realise it more deeply each time I meet him. And I assure you that I am not one to underestimate myself."
Delcassé looked at him with a little smile.
"It seems to me that your note has changed," he said. "This morning—"
"I have seen Crochard since then," explained Lépine, simply.
"And you are in earnest about this conference?"