right and wrong

though stupefied. Steiner, La Faloise, Philippe and others,

besides, had presented themselves, and at the end of the lad's first

phrase they burst into exclamations. The thing was impossible! It

must be a farce! After which they grew serious and gazed with an

embarrassed expression at her bedroom door. They shook their heads;

Till midnight a dozen gentlemen had stood talking in low voices in

front of the fireplace. All were friends; all were deeply exercised

by the same idea of paternity. They seemed to be mutually excusing