“Have you been expecting us, dear father? I should have come at once on our return, but that Léon wanted some one to talk matters over with. I am afraid you have been anxious, and I wish now that I had written.”
“Have you anything good to tell?” inquired M. Bourget, brusquely.
He had fastened his eyes upon her determinedly, and bent forward.
“I think so. Léon has agreed to bring an action against this man.”
“What for? What for!”
“For slander,” said Nathalie, surprised that he should put the question.
“Then he’s got evidence to disprove it?”
“His own word,” replied the wife, proudly.
“Ah-h—!” M. Bourget’s ah-h—! was like a snarl; he fell into his original position, and fixed his eyes on the ground. She drew back a step, in her turn holding him with her eyes. “Father! You doubt him!”
He sat silent, gloomy, slowly nodding.