Alfred to show them in, and to my surprise there appeared two horrible provincials. I never—Oh!"
She stopped short, for there, coming through the door, were the two Charolais, father and son.
M. Charolais pressed his motor-cap to his bosom, and bowed low. "Once more I salute you, mademoiselle," he said.
His son bowed, and revealed behind him another young man.
"My second son. He has a chemist's shop," said M. Charolais, waving a large red hand at the young man.
The young man, also blessed with the family eyes, set close together, entered the hall and bowed to the two girls. The Duke raised his eyebrows ever so slightly.
"I'm very sorry, gentlemen," said Germaine, "but my father has not yet returned."
"Please don't apologize. There is not the slightest need," said M. Charolais; and he and his two sons settled themselves down on three chairs, with the air of people who had come to make a considerable stay.
For a moment, Germaine, taken aback by their coolness, was speechless; then she said hastily: "Very likely he won't be back for another hour. I shouldn't like you to waste your time."
"Oh, it doesn't matter," said M. Charolais, with an indulgent air; and turning to the Duke, he added, "However, while we're waiting, if you're a member of the family, sir, we might perhaps discuss the least you will take for the motor-car."
"I'm sorry," said the Duke, "but I have nothing to do with it."
Before M. Charolais could reply the door opened, and Firmin's deep voice said:
"Will you please come in here, sir?"
A third young man came into the hall.
"What, you here, Bernard?" said M. Charolais. "I told you to wait at the park gates."
"I wanted to see the car too," said Bernard.
"My third son. He is destined for the Bar," said M. Charolais, with a great air of paternal pride.
"But how many are there?" said Germaine faintly.
Before M. Charolais could answer, Firmin once more appeared on the threshold.
"The master's just come back, miss," he said.
"Thank goodness for that!" said Germaine; and turning to M. Charolais, she added, "If you will come with me, gentlemen, I will take you to my father, and you can discuss the price of the car at once."
As she spoke she moved towards the door. M. Charolais and his sons rose and made way for her. The father and the two eldest sons made haste to follow her out of the room. But Bernard lingered behind, apparently to admire the bric-a-brac on the cabinets. With infinite quickness he grabbed two objects off the nearest, and followed his brothers. The Duke sprang across the hall in three strides, caught him by the arm on the very threshold, jerked him back into the hall, and shut the door.
"No you don't, my young friend," he said sharply.
"Don't what?" said Bernard, trying to shake off his grip.
"You've taken a cigarette-case," said the Duke.
"No, no, I haven't—nothing of the kind!" stammered Bernard.
The Duke grasped the young man's left wrist, plunged his hand into the motor-cap which he was carrying, drew out of it a silver cigarette-case, and held it before his eyes.
Bernard turned pale to the lips. His frightened eyes seemed about to leap from their sockets.
"It—it—was a m-m-m-mistake," he stammered.
The Duke shifted his grip to his collar, and thrust his hand into the breast-pocket of his coat. Bernard, helpless in his grip, and utterly taken aback by his quickness, made no resistance.
The Duke drew out a morocco case, and said: "Is this a mistake too?"
"Heavens! The pendant!" cried Sonia, who was watching the scene with parted lips and amazed eyes.
Bernard dropped on his knees and clasped his hands.
"Forgive me!" he cried, in a choking voice. "Forgive me! Don't tell any one! For God's sake, don't tell any one!"
And the tears came streaming from his eyes.
"You young rogue!" said the Duke quietly.
"I'll never do it again—never! Oh, have pity on me! If my father knew! Oh, let me off!" cried Bernard.
The Duke hesitated, and looked down on him, frowning and pulling at his moustache. Then, more quickly than one would have expected from so careless a trifler, his mind was made up.
"All right," he said slowly. "Just for this once … be off with you." And he jerked him to his feet and almost threw him into the outer hall.
"Thanks! … oh, thanks!" said Bernard.
The Duke shut the door and looked at Sonia, breathing quickly.
"Well? Did you ever see anything like that? That young fellow will go a long way. The cheek of the thing! Right under our very eyes! And this pendant, too: it would have been a pity to lose it. Upon my word, I ought to have handed him over to the police."
"No, no!" cried Sonia. "You did quite right to let him off—quite right,"
The Duke set the pendant on the ledge of the bureau, and came down the hall to Sonia.
"What's the matter?" he said gently. "You're quite pale."
"It has upset me … that unfortunate boy," said Sonia; and her eyes were swimming with tears.
"Do you pity the young rogue?" said the Duke.
"Yes; it's dreadful. His eyes were so terrified, and so boyish. And, to be caught like that … stealing … in the act. Oh, it's hateful!"
"Come, come, how sensitive you are!" said the Duke, in a soothing, almost caressing tone. His eyes, resting on her charming, troubled face, were glowing with a warm admiration.
"Yes; it's silly," said Sonia; "but you noticed his eyes—the hunted look in them? You pitied him, didn't you? For you are kind at bottom."
"Why at bottom?" said the Duke.
"Oh, I said at bottom because you look sarcastic, and at first sight you're so cold. But often that's only the mask of those who have suffered the most… . They are the most indulgent," said Sonia slowly, hesitating, picking her words.
"Yes, I suppose they are," said the Duke thoughtfully.
"It's because when one has suffered one understands… . Yes: one understands," said Sonia.
There was a pause. The Duke's eyes still rested on her face. The admiration in them was mingled with compassion.
"You're very unhappy here, aren't you?" he said gently.
"Me? Why?" said Sonia quickly.
"Your smile is so sad, and your eyes so timid," said the Duke slowly. "You're just like a little child one longs to protect. Are you quite alone in the world?"
His eyes and tones were full of pity; and a faint flush mantled Sonia's cheeks.
"Yes, I'm alone," she said.
"But have you no relations—no friends?" said the Duke.
"No," said Sonia.
"I don't mean here in France, but in your own country… . Surely you have some in Russia?"
"No, not a soul. You see, my father was a Revolutionist. He died in Siberia when I was a baby. And my mother, she died too—in Paris. She had fled from Russia. I was two years old when she died."
"It must be hard to be alone like that," said the Duke.
"No," said Sonia, with a faint smile, "I don't mind having no relations. I grew used to that so young … so very young. But what is hard—but you'll laugh at me—"
"Heaven