It was he. They would like to have laughed, but the newcomer knew how to command respect. The clerks restrained their mirth.
"M. Tabourin is here?"
"Yes, sir," answered Vitrolle. "He is in his office with Mme. Derize. I will tell him you are here."
"No need to. I shall come back."
Then he did not care to meet Mme. Derize? Upset in their calculations, the clerks were astonished, when the Chief reappeared opportunely with his client. He showed every evidence of an unpleasant interview. Philippe Lagier, discovered, just as he was leaving, made a hurried movement of retreat and embarrassment which could not escape so keen an observer as Malaunay; but the young woman, after an imperceptible hesitation, came toward him.
"Monsieur," she said, "I should very much like to speak with you. Will you go a short way with me?"
"Willingly, Madame," he stammered confusedly.
What had become of that self-possession which had never been known to fail him? Why this emotion on so ordinary an occasion? He recovered his composure at once and bowed to the lawyer and his clerks before he went out with the beautiful Mme. Derize. M. Tabourin had other things on his mind than to observe these fine distinctions. The door was hardly closed when he announced tragically to his colleagues:
"The Derize case has fallen through!"
"How? Why?" asked the clerks.