my beloved and honoured daughter, as if you had not
lived amid all the dangers of such a career, makes up for the pain and
anxiety caused by the illness and danger of my son. Whether he lives or
dies, I shall never for one moment blame you for anything in connection
with his misfortune. In any event, it was your virtue and courage that
saved him from being guilty of a crime that I shudder to contemplate.
And now, tell me, who was the handsome young man among your liberators
who seemed to direct the attack, and who wounded Vallombreuse? An actor
doubtless, though it appeared to me that he had a very noble bearing,
and magnificent courage."

"Yes, my dear father," Isabelle replied, with a most lovely and becoming
blush, "he is an actor, a member of our troupe; but if I may venture to
betray his secret, which is already known to the Duke of Vallombreuse,
I will tell you that the so-called Captain Fracasse conceals under his
mask a noble countenance, as indeed you already know, and under his
theatrical pseudonym, the name of an illustrious family."

"True!" rejoined the prince, "I have heard something about that already.
It would certainly have been astonishing if an ordinary, low-born actor
had ventured upon so bold and rash a course as running counter to a Duke
of Vallombreuse, and actually entering into a combat with him; it
needs noble blood for such daring acts. Only a gentleman can conquer a
gentleman, just as a diamond can only be cut by a diamond."

The lofty pride of the aged prince found much consolation in the
knowledge that his son had not been attacked and wounded by an adversary
of low origin; there was nothing compromising in a duel between equals,
and he drew a deep breath of relief at thought of it.

"And pray, what is the real name of this valiant champion?" smilingly
asked the prince, with a roguish twinkle in his dark eyes--"this
dauntless knight, and brave defender of innocence and purity!"

"He is the Baron de Sigognac," Isabelle replied blushingly, with a
slight trembling perceptible in her sweet, low voice. "I reveal his name
fearlessly to you, my dear father, for you are both too just and too
generous to visit upon his head the disastrous consequences of a victory
that he deplores."

"De Sigognac?" said the prince. "I thought that ancient and illustrious
family was extinct. Is he not from Gascony?"

"Yes; his home is in the neighbourhood of Dax."

"Exactly--and the de Sigognacs have an appr