"Unfortunately not. My uncle is very positive—"
"But at the same time his heart is in the right place, so far as I could judge from what I saw of him—in June, I think it was."
"Yes."
"You don't mind taking the first step?"
"I will take as many as may be needed."
"I was sure you would. You can not remain on bad terms with your father's brother, the only relative you have left. In our eyes this reconciliation is a duty, a necessity. You should desire it as much as, and even more than, we."
"I shall use every effort, Monsieur, I promise you."
"And in that case you will succeed, I feel sure."
M. Charnot, who had grown very pale, held out his hand to me, and tried hard to smile.
"I think, Monsieur Fabien, that we are quite at one, and that the hour has come—"