airway with Tchernoff, the bell rang. How annoying! The
Russian, who was well up in advanced politics, was just explaining the
plans advanced by Jaures. There were still many who hoped that war might
be averted. He had his motives for doubting it. . . . He, Tchernoff, was
commenting on these illusions with the smile of a flat-nosed sphinx when
the bell rang for a second time, so that Argensola was obliged to break
away from his interesting friend, and run to open the main door.

A gentleman wished to see Julio. He spoke very correct French, though
his accent was a revelation for Argensola. Upon going into the bedroom
in search of his master, who was just arising, he said confidently,
"It's the cousin from Berlin who has come to say good-bye. It could not
be anyone else."

When the three came together in the studio, Desnoyers presented his
comrade, in order that the visitor might not make any mistake in regard
to his social status.

"I have heard him spoken of. The gentleman is Argensola, a very
deserving youth."

Doctor Julius von Hartrott said this with the self-sufficiency of a
man who knows everything and wishes to be agreeable to an inferior,
conceding him the alms of his attention.

The two cousins confronted each other with a curiosity not altogether
free from distrust. Although closely related, they knew each other very
slightly, tacitly admitting complete divergence in opinions and tastes.

After slowly examining the Sage, Argensola came to the conclusion that
he looked like an officer dressed as a civilian. He noticed in his
person an effort to imitate the soldierly when occasionally discarding
uniform--the ambition of every German burgher wishing to be taken for
the superior class. His trousers were narrow, as though intended to be
tucked into cavalry boots. His coat with two rows of buttons had the
contracted waist with very full skirt and upstanding lapels, suggesting
vaguely a military great coat. The reddish moustachios, strong jaw and
shaved head completed his would-be martial appearance; but his eyes,
large, dark-circled and near-sighted, were the eyes of a student taking
refuge behind great thick glasses which gave him the aspect of a man of
peace.

Desnoyers knew that he was an assistant professor of the University,
that he had published a few volumes, fat and heavy as bricks, and that
he was a member of an academic society collaborating in documentary
research directed by a famous historian. I