There was just the faintest sigh of relief from Charolais, as
Germaine turned and came to him with the photograph in her hand. She
gave it to him.

"Ah, here we are," he said, putting on a pair of gold-rimmed pince-
nez. "A hundred horse-power car. Well, well, this is something to
talk over. What's the least you'll take for it?"

"_I_ have nothing to do with this kind of thing," cried Germaine.
"You must see my father. He will be back from Rennes soon. Then you
can settle the matter with him."

M. Charolais rose, and said: "Very good. We will go now, and come
back presently. I'm sorry to have intruded on you, young ladies--
taking up your time like this--"

"Not at all--not at all," murmured Germaine politely.

"Good-bye--good-bye," said M. Charolais; and he and his son went to
the door, and bowed themselves out.

"What creatures!" said Germaine, going to the window, as the door
closed behind the two visitors. "All the same, if they do buy the
hundred horse-power, papa will be awfully pleased. It is odd about
that pane. I wonder how it happened. It's odd too that Jacques
hasn't come back yet. He told me that he would be here between half-
past four and five."

"And the Du Buits have not come either," said Sonia. "But it's