Besides, affection
sharpens the wits. Through it the hovering, protecting sense becomes
instinctive, and prescience takes on uncanny certainty. He had a real and
deep affection for Jean Jacques and his Carmen, and a deeper one still
for the child Zoe; and the danger to the home at the Manor Cartier now
became again as sharp as the knife of the guillotine. His eyes ran from
the woman to the man, and back again, and then with great courage he
repeated his question:
"Monsieur and mademoiselle, they are well--they are with you, I hope,
madame?"
She looked at him in the eyes without flinching, and on the instant she
was aware that he knew all, and that there had been talk with George
Masson. She knew the little man to be as good as ever can be, but she
resented the fact that he knew. It was clear George Masson had told
him--else how could he know; unless, perhaps, all the world knew!
"You know well enough that I have come alone, my friend," she answered.
"It is no place for Zoe; and it is no place for my husband and him
together," she made a motion of the head towards the mastercarpenter.
"Santa Maria, you know it very well indeed!"
The Clerk of the Court bowed, but made no reply. What was there to say to
a remark like that! It was clear that the problem must be worked out
alone between these two people, though he was not quite sure what the
problem was.
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