my influence in his behalf."

Both the young men started.

"That is the man!" cried they.

"What do you mean?" asked the Viscountess, looking from one to the
other.

"That your Marquis de Croisenois is a despicable scoundrel, who had
imposed upon the Marchioness d'Arlanges. Just you listen to our reasons
for coming to this conclusion." And with the most perfect clearness De
Breulh had the whole state of the case before the Viscountess.

The lady listened attentively, and then said,--

"Your premises are wrong; just let me say a word on the matter. You say
that there is some man who by means of the influence that he exercises
over the Count and Countess, can coerce them into granting him Sabine's
hand. But, my dear Gontran, an utter stranger to the family could not
exercise this power. Now M. de Croisenois has never entered the doors of
the house, and came to me to ask for an introduction."

The justness of this remark silenced De Breulh, but Andre took another
view of the matter.

"This seems all right at a first glance, but still, after the
extraordinary scene that the Viscountess has described, I should like to
ask a few questions. Was not Van Klopen's behavior very unexpected?"

"It was brutal and infamous."

"Are you not one of his best customers?"

"I am, and I have spent an enormous sum with him."

"But Van Klopen is nasty sometimes; did he not sue Mademoiselle de
Riversac?" asked De Breulh.

"But he did not, I expect, force his way into her drawing-room and
behave outrageously before a perfect stranger. Do you know M. de
Croisenois?" returned Andre.

"Very slightly; he is of good family, and his brother George was much
esteemed by all who knew him."

"Has he plenty of money?"

"I do not think so, but in time he will inherit a large fortune; very
likely he is over head and ears in debt."

"And yet he had twenty thousand francs in his pocketbook; is not that
rather a large sum to carry when you are simply making a morning call?
and it is curious, too, that it should have been the exact sum wanted.
Then there is another point; the pocketbook was hurled into Van Klopen's
face. Did he submit without a word to such treatment?"

"He certainly said nothing," replied Madame de Bois Arden.

"One question more, if you please. Did Van Klopen open the book and
count the notes before he gave the receipt?"

The Viscountess thought for a moment.

"I was a good deal excited," said she at length, "but I