de
Kercadiou's anger. The colour receded from his inflamed face;
dread looked out of his pale eyes, to inform M. de La Tour d'Azyr,
more clearly than any words, that M. de Kercadiou's hot speech had
been the expression of unreflecting anger, that his prayer that
retribution might soon overtake his godson had been unconsciously
insincere. Confronted now by the fact that this retribution was
about to be visited upon that scoundrel, the fundamental gentleness
and kindliness of his nature asserted itself; his anger was suddenly
whelmed in apprehension; his affection for the lad beat up to the
surface, making Andre-Louis' sin, however hideous, a thing of no
account by comparison with the threatened punishment.
M. de Kercadiou moistened his lips.
"With whom is this engagement?" he asked in a voice that by an
effort he contrived to render steady.
M. de La Tour d'Azyr bowed his handsome head, his eyes upon the
gleaming parquetry of the floor. "With myself," he answered quietly,
conscious already with a tightening of the heart that his answer
must sow dismay.
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