"That is more than I can tell. You seem to want to know a lot," answered
Florestan, sulkily.

Modeste had now left the young men, who walked arm in arm in the
direction of the Avenue de l'Imperatrice.

"M. de Breulh takes his dismissal easily enough," observed Mascarin.

"He was not dismissed; it was he that wrote and broke off the
engagement."

This time Mascarin contrived to conceal the terrible blow that this
information caused to him, and even made some jesting remark as he took
leave of Florestan; but he was in truth completely staggered, for after
thoroughly believing that the game was won, he saw that, though perhaps
not lost, his victory was postponed for an indefinite period.

"What!" said he, as he clenched his hand firmly, "shall the headstrong
passion of this foolish boy mar my plans? Let him take care of himself;
for if he walks in my path, he will find it a road that leads to his own
destruction."

CHAPTER XXI.

AN ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

Dr. Hortebise had for some time back given up arguing with Mascarin as
to the advice the latter gave him. He had been ordered not to let Paul
out of his sight, and he obeyed this command literally. He had taken him
to dine at M. Martin Rigal's, though the host himself was absent; from
there he took Paul to his club, and finally wound up by forcing the
young man to accept a bed at his house. They both slept late, and were
sitting down to a luxurious breakfast, when the servant announced M.
Tantaine, and that worthy man made his appearance with the same smile
upon his face which Paul remembered so well in the Hotel de Perou.
The sight of him threw the young man into a state of fury. "At last we
meet," cried he. "I have an account to settle with you."

"You have an account to settle with me?" asked Daddy Tantaine with a
puzzled smile.

"Yes; was it not through you that I was accused of theft by that old
hag, Madame Loupins?"

Tantaine shrugged his shoulders.

"Dear me," said he; "I thought that M. Mascarin had explained
everything, and that you were anxious to marry Mademoiselle Flavia, and
that, above all, you were a young man of intelligence and tact."

Hortebise roared with laughter, and Paul, seeing his folly, blushed
deeply and remained silent.

"I regret having disturbed you, doctor," resumed Tantaine, "but I had
strict orders to see you."

"Is there anything new then?"

"Yes; Mademoiselle de Mussidan is out of danger, and M. de Croisenois
can c