t sheep, but not a
reinvigorated wolf."

"I beg your pardon, mon cher," said Enguerrand; "society has already
opened its fold to this poor ill-treated wolf. Two days ago Louvier
summoned to his house the surviving relations or connections of De
Mauleon--among whom are the Marquis de Rochebriant, the Counts de Passy,
De Beauvilliers, De Chavigny, my father, and of course his two sons--and
submitted to us the proofs which completely clear the Vicomte de Mauleon
of even a suspicion of fraud or dishonour in the affair of the jewels.
The proofs include the written attestation of the Duke himself, and
letters from that nobleman after De Mauleon's disappearance from Paris,
expressive of great esteem, and indeed, of great admiration, for the
Vicomte's sense of honour and generosity of character. The result
of this family council was that we all went in a body to call on De
Mauleon; and he dined with my father that same day. You know enough of
the Comte de Vandemar, and, I may add, of my mother, to be sure
that they are both, in their several ways, too regardful of social
conventions to lend their countenance even to a relation without well
weighing the pros and cons. And as for Raoul, Bayard himself could not
be a greater stickler on the point of honour."

This declaration was followed by a silence that had the character of
stupor.

At last Duplessis said, "But what has Louvier to do in this galere?
Louvier is no relation of that well-born vaurien; why should he summon
your family council?"

"Louvier excused his interference on the ground of early and intimate
friendship with De Mauleon, who, he said, came to consult him on
arriving at Paris, and who felt too proud or too timid to address
relations with whom he had long dropped all intercourse. An intermediary
was required, and Louvier volunteered to take that part on himself;
nothing more natural nor more simple. By the way, Alain, you dine with
Louvier to-morrow, do you not?--a dinner in honour of our rehabilitated
kinsman. I and Raoul go."

"Yes, I shall be charmed to meet again a man who, whatever might be
his errors in youth, on which," added Alain, slightly colouring, "it
certainly does not become me to be severe, must have suffered the most
poignant anguish a man of honour can undergo,--namely, honour suspected;
and who now, whether by years or sorrow, is so changed that I cannot
recognize a likeness to the character I have just heard given to him as
mauvais sujet