ndertone, read:

"Gaston, Marquis of Clameran, Oloron, Lower Pyrenees."

"Well, does finding out his address assist us?" inquired Raoul, eagerly.

"It may save us: that is all. Let us return to the drawing-room; our
absence might be observed. Exert yourself to appear unconcerned and gay.
You almost betrayed us once by your agitation."

"The two women suspect something."

"Well, suppose they do?"

"The best thing that we can do is escape; the sooner we leave Paris, the
better."

"Do you think we should do any better in London? Don't be so easily
frightened. I am going to plant my batteries, and I warrant they will
prove successful."

They joined the other guests. But, if their conversation had not been
overheard their movements had been watched.

Madeleine looked through the half-open door, and saw Clameran consulting
her uncle's note-book, and whispering to Raoul. But what benefit would
she derive from this proof of the marquis's villany? She knew now that
he was plotting to obtain her fortune, and she would be forced to yield
it to him; that he had squandered his brother's fortune, and was now
frightened at the prospect of having to account for it. Still this did
not explain Raoul's conduct. Why did he show such fear?

Two hours later, Clameran was on the road to Vesinet with Raoul,
explaining to him his plans.

"It is my precious brother, and no mistake," he said. "But that need not
alarm you so easily, my lovely nephew."

"Merciful powers! Doesn't the banker expect to see him any day? Is he
not liable to pounce down on me to-morrow?"

"Don't be an idiot!" interrupted Clameran. "Does he know that Fauvel
is Valentine's husband? That is what we must find out. If he knows that
little fact, we must take to our heels; if he is ignorant of it, our
case is not desperate."

"How will you find out?"

"By simply asking him."

Raoul exclaimed at his ally's cunning:

"That is a dangerous thing to do," he said.

"'Tis not as dangerous as sitting down with our hands folded. And, as to
running away at the first suspicion of alarm, it would be imbecility."

"Who is going to look for him?"

"I am."

"Oh, oh, oh!" exclaimed Raoul in three different tones. Clameran's
audacity confounded him.

"But what am I going to do?" he inquired after a moment's silence.

"You will oblige me by remaining here and keeping quiet. I will send you
a despatch if there is danger; and then you can decamp."

As they parted at