Julius did not at first understand; but as Carola took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes: “What! Is it a visit of condolence?” “I knew Monsieur Fleurissoire,” she went on. “Really?” “Oh, I hadn’t known him long, but I was very fond of him. He was such a dear! so kind!... In fact, it was I who gave him his sleeve-links; you know, the ones they described in the papers. That’s how I knew it was he. But I had no idea he was your brother-in-law. It was a great surprise to me, and you may fancy how pleased I was.... Oh! I beg your pardon--that wasn’t what I meant to say.” “Never mind, dear Miss Carola. You meant, no doubt, that you are pleased to have an opportunity of meeting me again.” Without answering, Carola buried her face in her handkerchief; her sobs were convulsive and Julius thought it was his duty to take her hand. “And so am I,” he said feelingly, “so am I, my dear young lady. Pray believe....” “That very morning, before he went out, I told him to be careful. But it wasn’t his nature.... He was too confiding, you know.” “A saint, Mademoiselle, a saint!” said Julius fervently, taking out his handkerchief in his turn. “Yes, yes, that was just how it struck me,” cried Carola. “At night, when he thought I was asleep, he used to get up and kneel at the foot of the bed and....” This unconscious revelation put the finishing touch to Julius’s discomposure; he returned the handkerchief to his pocket and, drawing still nearer: “Do take your hat off, my dear young lady.” “No, thank you; it’s not in my way.” “But it _is_ in mine. Won’t you let me....” But as Carola unmistakably drew back, he pulled himself together. “Let me ask you whether you had any special reason for uneasiness?” “Who? I?” “Yes; when you told my brother-in-law to be careful, I want to know whether you had any reason to suppose.... Speak openly; no one comes in here in the mornings and we can’t be overheard. Do you suspect anyone?” Carola’s head sank.