its
intangible density, a cold shudder ran over Pierre's limbs, and a smell
of smoke and mould, the peculiar smell of a sea-fog, made him close his
mouth that he might not taste the cold, wet vapour. By the time the boat
was at her usual moorings in the harbour the whole town was buried in
this fine mist, which did not fall but yet wetted everything like rain,
and glided and rolled along the roofs and streets like the flow of a
river. Pierre, with his hands and feet frozen, made haste home and threw
himself on his bed to take a nap till dinner-time. When he made his
appearance in the dining-room his mother was saying to Jean:

"The glass corridor will be lovely. We will fill it with flowers. You
will see. I will undertake to care for them and renew them. When you
give a party the effect will be quite fairy-like."

"What in the world are you talking about?" the doctor asked.

"Of a delightful apartment I have just taken for your brother. It is
quite a find; an entresol looking out on two streets. There are two
drawing-rooms, a glass passage, and a little circular dining-room,
perfectly charming for a bachelor's quarters."

Pierre turned pale. His anger seemed to press on his heart.

"Where is it?" he asked.

"Boulevard Francois."

There was no possibility for doubt. He took his seat in such a state
of exasperation that he longed to exclaim: "This is really too much! Is
there nothing for any one but him?"

His mother, beaming, went on talking: "And only fancy, I got it for two
thousand eight hundred francs a year. They asked three thousand, but I
got a reduction of two hundred francs on taking for three, six, or nine
years. Your brother will be delightfully housed there. An elegant home
is enough to make the fortune of a lawyer. It attracts clients, charms
them, holds them fast, commands respect, and shows them that a man who
lives in such good style expects a good price for his words."

She was silent for a few seconds and then went on:

"We must look out for something suitable for you; much less pretentious,
since you have nothing, but nice and pretty all the same. I assure you
it will be to your advantage."

Pierre replied contemptuously:

"For me! Oh, I shall make my way by hard work and learning."

But his mother insisted: "Yes, but I assure you that to be well lodged
will be of use to you nevertheless."

About half-way through the meal he suddenly asked:

"How did you first come to know this man Ma