"Certainly, father; but M. Pascal will arrive before long."
"And you insist upon my being present, my son?"
"You know, father, all the respect that our friend has for you, and how glad he is to show it to you."
After a moment's silence, the old man replied:
"Do you know that, since you have dismissed your old cashier, Marcelange, he often visits M. Pascal?"
"This is the first time I have heard it."
"Does it not seem singular to you?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Listen to me, Charles, I—"
"I beg your pardon, father," replied Dutertre, interrupting the old man, "now I think of it, nothing is more natural; I have not seen our friend since I sent Marcelange away; Marcelange knows of our friendship for M. Pascal, and he perhaps has gone to see him, to beg him to intercede with me for him."