With a benevolent gesture, Mascarin pointed to an armchair, and in
encouraging tones said, "And now let us talk."

It was plain to Paul that Mascarin was not acting, but that the kind and
patriarchal expression upon his face was natural to it, and the young
man felt that he could safely intrust his whole future to him.

"I have heard," commenced Mascarin, "that your means of livelihood are
very precarious, or rather that you have none, and are ready to take
the first one that offers you a means of subsistence. That, at least, is
what I hear from my poor friend Tantaine."

"He has explained my case exactly."

"Good; only before proceeding to the future, let us speak of the past."

Paul gave a start, which Mascarin noticed, for he added,--

"You will excuse the freedom I am taking; but it is absolutely necessary
that I should know to what I am binding myself. Tantaine tells me that
you are a charming young man, strictly honest, and well educated; and
now that I have had the pleasure of meeting you, I am sure that he is
right; but I can only deal with proofs, and must be quite certain before
I act on your behalf with third parties."

"I have nothing to conceal, sir, and am ready to answer any questions,"
responded Paul.

A slight smile, which Paul did not detect, played round the corners of
Mascarin's mouth, and, with a gesture, with which all who knew him were