Andre had removed his coat and donned his blouse, the sleeves of which were
rolled up to his shoulders. "I must get to business," murmured he, "to make up for
lost time." He set to work with great vigor, but had hardly got into the swing, when
a lad came actively up the ladder and told him that a gentleman wished to see
him, "and a real swell, too," added the boy. Andre was a good deal put out at
being disturbed, but when he reached the street and saw that it was M. de
Breulh- Faverlay who was waiting for him, his ill-humor disappeared like chaff
before the wind.
"Ah, this is really kind of you," cried he; for he could never forget the debt of
gratitude he owed to the gentleman. "A thousand thanks for remembering me.
Excuse my not shaking hands, but see;" and he exhibited his palms all white with
plaster. As he did so the smile died away on his lips, for he caught sight of his
friend's face.
"What is the matter?" exclaimed he, anxiously. "Is Sabine worse? Has she had a
relapse?"
De Breulh shook his head, but the expression of his face clearly said,--
"Would to heavens it were only that!"
But the news that Sabine was not worse relieved Andre at once, and he patiently
waited for his friend to explain.
"I have seen her twice for you," answered De Breulh; "but it is absolutely
necessary that you should come to a prompt decision on an important affair."
"I am quite at your service," returned Andre a good deal surprised and troubled.
"Then come with me at once, I did not drive here, but we shall not be more than a
quarter of an hour in reaching my house."
"I will follow you almost immediately. I only ask five minutes' grace to go up to the
scaffold again."
"Have you any orders to give?"
"No, I have none."
"Why should you go, then?"
"To make myself a little more presentable."
"Is it an annoyance or inconvenience for you to go out in that dress?"
"Not a bit, I am thoroughly used to it; but it was for your sake."
"If that is all, come along."
"But people will stare at seeing you in company with a common workman."
"Let them stare." And drawing Andre's arm through his, M. de Breulh set off.
Andre was right; many persons did turn round to look at the fashionably dressed
gentleman walking arm in arm with a mason in his working attire, but De Breulh
took but little heed, and to all Andre's questions simply said, "Wait till we reach
my house."
At length they arrived, without having exchanged twenty words, and entering the
library closed the door. M. de Breulh did not inflict the torture of suspense upon
his young friend a moment longer than was necessary.
