Mechanically, by habit, he bent his steps toward the Rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, where his barber lived, but he had taken only a few steps when reflection caused him to stop; it would be certainly a mistake to provoke the gossip of this man who, knew him, and who, for the pleasure of talking, would tell every one in the quarter that he had just cut the hair and beard of Dr. Saniel.  He returned to the boulevard, where he was not known.

But as he was about to open the door of the shop which he decided to enter, he changed his mind.  He happened to find the explanation that he must give Phillis, and as he wished to avoid the surprise that she would not fail to show if she saw him suddenly without hair and beard, he would give this explanation before having them cut, in such a way that all at once and without looking for another reason, she would understand that this operation was indispensable.

And he went to dinner, furious with himself and with things, to see to what miserable expedients he was reduced.

CHAPTER XXVIII

SANIEL VISITS A BARBER

The following day at five o’clock when Phillis rang, he opened the door for her.  Hardly had she entered when she was about to throw herself into his arms as usual, with a quickness that told how happy she was to see him.  But he checked her with his hand.

“What is the matter?” she asked paralyzed and full of fears.

“Nothing; or, at least nothing much.”

“Against me?”

“Certainly not, dear one.”

“You are ill?”

“No, not ill, but I must take precautions which prevent me from embracing you.  I will explain; do not be uneasy, it is not serious.”

“Quick!” she cried, examining him, and trying to anticipate his thought.

“You have something to tell me?”

“Yes, good news.  But I beg of you, speak first; do not leave me in suspense.”

“I assure you that you need not be uneasy; and when I speak thus, you know that you should believe me.  You see that I am not uneasy.”

“It is for others that you are alarmed, never for yourself.”

“Do you know what the pelagre is?”

“No.”

“It is a special disease of the hair and beard, due to the presence in the epidermis of a kind of mushroom.  Well, it is probable that I have this disease.”

“Is it serious?”

“Troublesome for a man, but disastrous for a woman, because, before any treatment, the hair must be cut.  You understand, therefore, that if I have the pelagre, as I believe I have, I am not going to expose you to the risk of catching it in embracing you.  It is very easily transmitted, and in that case you would be obliged, probably, to do for yourself what I must do for myself; that is, to cut my hair.  With me it is of no consequence; but with you it would be murder to sacrifice your beautiful hair.”