"What do you mean?"

"Monsieur—"

"Speak, speak, I say."

"What if,—and it would not be his fault, remember, monsieur,—what if he should not share the affection he has inspired in mademoiselle—"

"Damnation!" exclaimed Cloarek.

Then after a moment's silence he said, sternly:

"Send your nephew here."

"Do not ask me to do that, monsieur!" pleaded Suzanne, in terror.

"Obey me, do you hear?"

"Not if you kill me, monsieur," replied Suzanne, resolutely; "no, he shall not come. I will make him leave the house. I will not expose him to—"