His mother paused in her task.
“Then he must be under some strange delusion,” she said, gravely, “and I begin to wish you had not destroyed the letter.”
He assured her that he remembered what was in it, and repeated particulars, avoiding mention of the sum.
“It is scarcely credible that any one should have brought such a mad accusation,” she remarked.
Léon allowed the strangeness of the fact.
“But I must answer the scoundrel, and what shall I say?”
“Refer him to your lawyer if he means to go further. There is nothing else to be done. Make him understand that, by persisting, he lays himself open to an action for libel.”
Léon looked at her reflectively. Then he sprang to his feet.
“I believe you are right. It is best to advance a bold front with such fellows, and show them you don’t mean to knock under.”
“Knock under? But that would be impossible!” exclaimed Mme. de. Beaudrillart, astonished.