The latter, therefore, had arrived opportunely. He looked as if he brought startling news. By a glance he drew Madame Desvarennes's attention to Marechal and seemed to say: "I must be alone with you; send him away." The mistress understood, and with a decided gesture said: "You can speak before Marechal; he knows all my affairs as well as I do myself." "Even the matter that brings me here?" replied Cayrol, with surprise. "Even that. It was necessary for me to have some one to whom I could speak, or else my heart would have burst! Come, do your errand. The Prince?" "A lot it has to do with the Prince," exclaimed Cayrol, in a huff. "Pierre has arrived!" Madame Desvarennes rose abruptly. A rush of blood rose to her face, her eyes brightened, and her lips opened with a smile. "At last!" she cried. "But where is he? How did you hear of his return?" "Ah! faith, it was just by chance. I was shooting yesterday at Fontainebleau, and I returned this morning by the express. On arriving at Paris, I alighted on the platform, and there I found myself face to face with a tall young man with a long beard, who, seeing me pass, called out, 'Ah, Cayrol!' It was Pierre. I only recognized him by his voice. He is much changed; with his beard, and his complexion bronzed like an African." "What did he say to you?" "Nothing. He pressed my hand. He looked at me for a moment with glistening eyes. There was something on his lips which he longed to ask, yet did not; but I guessed it. I was afraid of giving way to tenderness, that might have ended in my saying something foolish, so I left him." "How long ago is that?" "About an hour ago. I only just ran home before coming on here. There I found Panine waiting for me. He insisted upon accompanying me. I hope you won't blame him?" Madame Desvarennes frowned. "I will not see him just now," she said, looking at Cayrol with a resolute air. "Where did you leave him?" "In the garden, where I found the young ladies." As if to verify the banker's words, a merry peal of laughter was heard through the half-open window. It was Micheline, who, with returning gayety, was making up for the three weeks' sadness she had experienced during Panine's absence.