Thessalie came forward; Barres advanced to meet her with the unspoken question in his eyes, and she gave him both her hands with a tremulous little smile of happiness.

“Is it all right?” he whispered.

“I think so.”

Barres turned and grasped Renoux by one hand.

The latter said:

“There is not the slightest doubt in my mind, mon ami. You were perfectly right. A frightful injustice has been done in this matter. Of that I am absolutely convinced.”

“You will do what you can to set things right?”

291

“Of course,” said Renoux simply.

There was a moment’s silence, then Renoux smiled: