"_Bieng, madame_," replied Bibi, who turned and walked softly away. During the two or three minutes which elapsed before Claude came in Charmian and Gillier said nothing. Gillier, who, under the influence of excitement, was losing his veneer of good manners, moved about the room pretending to examine the few bibelots it contained. His face was flushed. He still kept his hands in his pockets. Charmian sat still in her corner, watching him. She was too angry to speak. And what was there to be said now? Although she had a good deal of will she was clever enough to realize when its exercise would be useless. She knew that she could do nothing more with this man. Otherwise she would not have sent for Claude. "_V'la, Mousou!_" Bibi had returned and gently pointed to his master, smiling. "_Bon jour_, Gillier!" said Claude, as the Frenchman swung round sharply. "_Bon jour!_" They shook hands. Claude looked from Gillier to his wife. "You were smoking?" he said, glancing at the tray. "Won't you have another cigarette?" "_Merci!_" "Anyhow, I will." He picked up the cigarette box. "We haven't seen you for a long while." He lit a cigarette. "Aren't you going to sit down?" After a pause Gillier sat down. His eyes were fixed on Claude. "I am glad you have come," he said. "Madame does not quite understand--" "I understand perfectly, Monsieur Gillier," Charmian interrupted. "Pray don't endow me with a stupidity which I don't possess." "I prefer at any rate to explain the reason of my visit to Monsieur Heath, madame." "Have you come with a special object then?" said Claude. "Yes." "By all means tell me what it is." "_Mon Dieu!_" said Gillier. "What is the good of a cloud of words between two men? I want to buy back the libretto I sold to you more than a year ago." Charmian gazed at her husband. To her surprise his usually sensitive face did not show her what was passing in his mind. Indeed she thought it looked peculiarly inexpressive as he replied: "Do you? Why?" "Why? Because I don't think you and I are suited to work together. I don't think we could ever make a satisfactory combination in art. This has been my opinion ever since I was with you at Constantine." "More than a year ago. And you only come here and say so now!" Gillier was silent and fidgeted on the divan. "Surely you must have some other reason?" said Claude in a very quiet, almost unnaturally quiet voice. "That is one reason, and an excellent one. Another is, however, that if you will consent to sell me back my libretto I believe I could get it taken up by a man, a composer, who is more in sympathy with me and my artistic aims than you could ever be." "I see. And what about all the months of work I have put in? What about all the music I have composed? Are you here to ask me to throw it away, or what?" Gillier was silent. "Surely your proposition isn't a serious one?" said Claude, still speaking with complete self-control.