"You have something to tell me Monsieur?" He falteringly replied:
"I am M. Hautot's son."
She gave a start, turned pale, and stammered out as If she had known him for a long time:
"Monsieur César?"
"Yes."
"And what next?"
"I have come to speak to you on the part of my father."
She articulated:
"Oh my God!"
She then drew back so that he might enter. He shut the door and followed her into the interior. Then he saw a little boy of four or five years playing with a cat, seated on a floor in front of a stove, from which rose the steam of dishes which were being kept hot.