man.

As to the attack upon the baron on the Pont-Neuf, there could be no
doubt that it was instigated by the Duke of Vallombreuse; but how
to prove it? that was the difficulty. And even supposing it could be
proved, what good would that do? In the eyes of the world the Baron
de Sigognac, who carefully concealed his real rank, was only Captain
Fracasse, a low play-actor, upon whom a great noble, like the Duke of
Vallombreuse, had a perfect right to inflict a beating, imprisonment, or
even assassination, if it so pleased him; and that without incurring the
blame, or serious disapproval, of his friends and equals.

So far as Isabelle was concerned, if the affair were made public, nobody
would believe that she was really pure and virtuous--the very fact of
her being an actress was enough to condemn her--for her sake it was
important to keep the matter secret if possible. So there was positively
no means of calling their enemy to account for his flagrant misdeeds,
though de Sigognac, who was almost beside himself with rage and
indignation, and burning to avenge Isabelle's wrongs and his own, swore
that he would punish him, even if he had to move heaven and earth
to compass it. Yet, when he became a little calmer, he could not but
acknowledge that Herode and Blazius were right in advising that
they should all remain perfectly quiet, and feign the most absolute
indifference; but at the same time keep their eyes and ears very wide
open, and be unceasingly on their guard against artful surprises, since
it was only too evident that the vindictive young duke, who was handsome
as a god and wicked as the devil, did not intend to abandon his designs
upon them; although thus far he had failed ignominiously in everything
he had undertaken against them.

A gentle, loving remonstrance from Isabelle, as she held de Sigognac's
hands, all hot and trembling with suppressed rage, between her own soft,
cool palms, and caressingly interlaced her slender white fingers with
his, did more to pacify him than all the rest, and he finally yielded to
her persuasions; promising to keep quiet himself, and allow, things to
go on just as usual.

Meantime the representations of the troupe had met with splendid
success. Isabelle's modest grace and refined beauty, Serafina's more
brilliant charms, the soubrette's sparkling vivacity and bewitching
coquetry, the superb extravagances of Captain Fracasse, the tyrant's
majestic mien, Leander's manly beauty,