"Well!" exclaimed Mascarin, "have you seen the Mussidans, as I told you
to do."

"Certainly," answered Hortebise briskly; "I saw the Countess, and told
her how pressing the holders of her letters were growing, and urged on
her the necessity for immediate action. She told me that both she and
her husband had determined to yield, and that Sabine, though evidently
broken-hearted, would not oppose the marriage."

"Good," said Mascarin; "and now, if Croisenois only follows out the
orders that I have given him, the marriage will take place without
the knowledge of either De Breulh or Andre. Then we need fear them no
longer. The prospectus of the new Company is ready, and can be issued
almost immediately; but we meet to-day to discuss not that matter, but
the more important one of the heir to the Champdoce title."

A timid knock at the door announced the arrival of Paul who came in
hesitatingly, as if doubtful what sort of a reception he might receive;
but Mascarin gave him the warmest possible welcome.

"Permit me," said he, "to offer you my congratulations on having won
the affections of so estimable and wealthy a young lady as Mademoiselle
Flavia. I may tell you that a friend of mine has informed me of the very
flattering terms in which her father, M. Rigal, spoke of you, and I can
assure you that if our mutual friend Dr. Hortebise were to go to the
banker with an offer of marriage on your part, you have no cause to
dread a refusal."

Paul blushed with pleasure, and as he was stammering out a few words,
the door opened for the third time, and Catenac made his appearance. To
cover the lateness of his arrival, he had clothed his face in smiles,
and advanced with outstretched hands toward his confederates; but
Mascarin's look and manner were so menacing, that he recoiled a few
steps and gazed on him with an expression of the utmost wonder and
surprise.

"What is the meaning of this reception?" asked he.

"Can you not guess?" returned Mascarin, his manner growing more and more
threatening. "I have sounded the lowest depths of your infamy. I was
sure the other day that you meant to turn traitor, but you swore to the
contrary, and you--"

"On my honor--"

"It is useless. One word from Perpignan set us on the right track. Were
you or were you not ignorant that the Duke de Champdoce had a certain
way of recognizing his son, and that was by a certain ineffaceable
scar?"

"It had escaped my memory----"

The words fa