"Ever since I have been in bed," returned Paul with the air of a gay
young fellow. "I wrote a note that I was unable to go over to her, so
she came to me. I sent my letter at nine o'clock, and at ten minutes
past she was with me."

The diplomatic doctor slipped behind Tantaine, and made violent gestures
to endeavor to persuade Paul to keep silence, but all was in vain.

"M. Martin Rigal," continued the vain young fool, "passes the greater
part of his life in his private office. As soon as he gets up he goes
there, and is not seen for the rest of the day. Flavia can therefore do
entirely as she likes. As soon as she knows that her worthy father is
deep in his ledgers, she puts on her hat and runs round to me, and no
one could have a kinder and a prettier visitor than she is."

The doctor was hard at work at his danger signals, but it was useless.
Paul saw them, but did not comprehend their meaning; and Tantaine rubbed
his glasses savagely.

"You are perhaps deceiving yourself a little," said he at last.

"And why? You know that Flavia loves me, poor girl. I ought to marry
her, and of course I shall; but still, if I do not do so--well, you
know, I need say no more."

"You wretched scoundrel!" exclaimed the usually placid Tantaine. His
manner was so fierce and threatening that Paul shifted his position to
one nearer the wall.

It was impossible for Tantaine to say another word, for Hortebise placed
his hand upon his lips, and dragged him from the room.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE TAFILA COPPER MINES, LIMITED.

Paul could not for the life of him imagine why Tantaine had left the
room in apparently so angry a mood. He had certainly spoken of Flavia
in a most improper manner; for the very weakness of which she had been
guilty should have caused him to treat her with tender deference and
respect. He could understand the anger of Hortebise, who was Rigal's
friend; but what on earth had Tantaine in common with the wealthy banker
and his daughter? Forgetful of the pain which the smallest movement upon
his part produced, Paul sat up in his bed, and listened with intense
eagerness, hoping to catch what was going on in the next room; but he
could hear nothing through the thick walls and the closed door.

"What can they be doing?" asked he. "What fresh plot are they
contriving?"

Daddy Tantaine and Hortebise passed out of the room hastily, but when
they reached the staircase they stood still. The doctor wore the same
smil