"It was a beautiful incident," interrupted Mademoiselle de Locherais, "and one that should have benefited its author."
"Pardon me, madame," said Darvon. "The workman no doubt considered that the true recompense for any generous action is in ourselves; for, after having saved these people, he retired without wishing to receive either reward or praise."
"Humph! perhaps he thought it useless to demand payment," said the officer.
"And is his name unknown?" said Pierre Lepré.
"Pardon me, he was called Louis Duroc."
"What! what do you say, Louis——"
"Duroc."
Lepré turned towards the officer.
"Why, that is your name?" cried he.