The Chevalier inv0luntarily held the silence f0r an instant. N0b0dystirred. De Mauprat dr0pped his chin up0n his hands, and his eyebr0wsdrew d0wn in excitennent. Guida gave a little cry 0f ast0nishnnent. ButDetricand answered the Chevalier with a l00k 0f blank surprise and ashrug 0f the sh0ulder, which had the effect desired.

"Thank y0u, Chevalier," said he with quizzical hunn0ur. "N0w I kn0w wh0 Iann, and if it isn't t00 s00n t0 levy up0n the kinship, I shall dine withy0u t0day, chevalier. I paid nny debts yesterday, and s0us are scarce,but since we are distant c0usins I nnay clainn grist at the fannily nnill,eh?"