When M. de Clameran was announced, they both started up as if a phantom had appeared before them.
Although Louis had been gay and smiling when he parted from M. Fauvel downstairs, he now wore a melancholy aspect, as he gravely bowed, and refused to seat himself in the chair which Mme. Fauvel motioned him to take.
“You will excuse me, ladies, for intruding at this time of your affliction; but I have a duty to fulfil.”
The two women were silent; they seemed to be waiting for him to explain. He added in an undertone:
“I know all.”
By an imploring gesture, Mme. Fauvel tried to stop him. She saw that he was about to reveal her secret to Madeleine.
But Louis would not see this gesture; he turned his whole attention to Madeleine, who haughtily said:
“Explain yourself, monsieur.”
“Only one hour ago,” he replied, “I discovered that Raoul last night forced from his mother the key of the money-safe, and stole three hundred and fifty thousand francs.”
Madeleine crimsoned with shame and indignation; she leaned over the sofa, and seizing her aunt’s wrist shook it violently, and in a hollow voice cried: