CHAPTER IX THE AWAKENING
––––––––
"Do you know," said Climene, "that I am waiting for the explanation which I think you owe me?"
They were alone together, lingering still at the table to which Andre-Louis had come belatedly, and Andre-Louis was loading himself a pipe. Of late—since joining the Binet Troupe—he had acquired the habit of smoking. The others had gone, some to take the air and others, like Binet and Madame, because they felt that it were discreet to leave those two to the explanations that must pass. It was a feeling that Andre-Louis did not share. He kindled a light and leisurely applied it to his pipe. A frown came to settle on his brow.
"Explanation?" he questioned presently, and looked at her. "But on what score?"
"On the score of the deception you have practised on us
