"Well, then, mademoiselle . . ."
Geneviève gave a start:
"You know something . . . the truth perhaps . . ."
"No . . . no . . . only . . ."
He rose and walked up and down the room. From time to time, his eyes fell upon Geneviève; and it looked as though he were on the point of giving a more precise answer to the question which she had put to him. Would he speak?
Mme. Ernemont awaited with anguish the revelation of the secret upon which the girl's future peace might depend.
He sat down beside Geneviève, appeared to hesitate, and said at last:
"No . . . no . . . just now . . . an idea occurred to me . . . a recollection . . ."
"A recollection? . . . And . . ."
"I was mistaken. Your story contained certain details that misled me."