eated quietly at table, and as they entered he
rose and came forward with a friendly smile to greet his brother. His
sense of humour was being excited; he was something of an actor, and the
role he had adopted in the comedy to be played gave him a certain grim
satisfaction. He would test for himself the truth of what Monsieur
de Garnache had told him concerning his brother's intentions. Marius
received his advances very coolly. He took his brother's hand, submitted
to his brother's kiss; but neither kiss nor hand-pressure did he return.
Florimond affected not to notice this.

"You are well, my dear Marius, I hope," said he, and thrusting him
out at arms' length, he held him by the shoulders and regarded him
critically. "Ma foi, but you are changed into a comely well-grown man.
And your mother--she is well, too, I trust."

"I thank you, Florimond, she is well," said Marius stiffly.

The Marquis took his hands from his brother's shoulders; his florid,
good-natured face smiling ever, as if this were the happiest moment of
his life.

"It is good to see France again, my dear Marius," he told his brother.
"I was a fool to have remained away so long. I am pining to be at
Condillac once more."

Marius eyeing him, looked in vain for signs of the fever. He had
expected to find a debilitated, emaciated man; instead, he saw a very
lusty, healthy, hearty fellow, full of good humour, and seemingly
full of strength. He began to like his purpose less, despite such
encouragement as he gathered from the support of Fortunio. Still, it
must be gone through with.

"You wrote us that you had the fever," he said, half inquiringly.

"Pooh! That is naught." And Florimond snapped a strong finger against
a stronger thumb. "But whom have you with you?" he asked, and his eyes
took the measure of Fortunio, standing a pace or two behind his master.

Marius presented his bravo.

"This is Captain Fortunio, the commander of our garrison of Condillac."

The Marquis nodded good-humouredly towards the captain.

"Captain Fortunio? He is well named for a soldier of fortune. My
brother, no doubt, will have family matters to tell me of. If you will
step below, Monsieur le Capitaine, and drink a health or so while you
wait, I shall be honoured."

The captain, nonplussed, looked at Marius, and Florimond surprised the
look. But Marius's manner became still chillier.

"Fortunio here," said he, and he half turned and let his hand fall on
the captain