She interrupted with an accent almost of impatience: "I have told nobody but you, monsieur, not even my mother and Louise."
"But why?"
"I wanted to consult you first, and..." She broke off sharply to ask: "Yes, Jean: what is it?"
The footman had entered to bring her cards over which Eve de Montalais arched her brows.
"Show the gentlemen in, please."
The servant retired.
"The men from Paris, madame?"
"Yes. You will excuse me--?"
Duchemin bowed. "But one word: You can hardly do better than put the case in the hands of these gentlemen. They are apt to be of a good order of intelligence when selected to serve bankers, you know."
"I understand," she replied in her cool, sweet voice.