"Oh, please, Philippe ... please!" she implored.
He did not understand at first:
"What is it, Suzanne?"
"Please, please be careful. Don't let Marthe suspect...."
"Do you think ...?"
"I thought so, for a second.... She gave me such a queer look.... Oh, it would be terrible!... Please, please ..."
She left him quickly, but her words and the scared look in her eyes gave Philippe a real fright. Hitherto, he had felt towards Marthe only the embarrassment provoked by the annoyance of having to tell a lie. He now suddenly perceived the full gravity of the situation, the peril which threatened Suzanne and which might shatter the happiness of his own household. One blunder ... and everything was discovered. And this thought, instead of clearing his brain forthwith, merely increased his confusion.
"I must save Suzanne," he repeated. "Above all, I must save Suzanne."
But he felt that he had no more power over the events at hand than a man has over the approaching storm. And a dull fear arose within his breast.