M. Hervart renewed the pressure of his prisoning knees. That was his first answer.

"We're conspirators, Rose," he then said. "It's serious."

"I hope so."

"We have been conspirators for a long time."

"Since this morning, yes."

She blushed a little.

"From that moment," M. Hervart went on, "when you said, 'One must believe'."

"I said what I thought."

"It's what I think too."

"In this way," he said to himself, "I say what I ought to say without going too far. Oh, if only I dared!"

Meanwhile, he was disturbed by the thought of the microscope.

"I shall buy one," he said, "and leave it with you. It will be of use to me when I come again."

"Stop," said Rose; her voice was low, but its tone was violent. "When you talk of coming again, you're talking of going away."

M. Hervart had nothing to answer. He got