was, indeed, no other than the Marquis de Saint-Maixent,
accused of all the enormous crimes detailed by the provost, who by his
audacious flight opened for himself an active part in the strange story
which it remains to relate.

It came to pass, a fortnight after these events, that a mounted gentleman
rang at the wicket gate of the chateau de Saint-Geran, at the gates of
Moulins. It was late, and the servants were in no hurry to open. The
stranger again pulled the bell in a masterful manner, and at length
perceived a man running from the bottom of the avenue. The servant peered
through the wicket, and making out in the twilight a very ill-appointed
traveller, with a crushed hat, dusty clothes, and no sword, asked him
what he wanted, receiving a blunt reply that the stranger wished to see
the Count de Saint-Geran without any further loss of time. The servant
replied that this was impossible; the other got into a passion.

"Who are you?" asked the man in livery.

"You are a very ceremonious fellow!" cried the horseman. "Go and tell M.
de Saint-Geran that his relative, the Marquis de Saint-Maixent, wishes to
see him at once."

The servant made humble apologies, and opened the wicket gate. He then
walked before the marquis, called other servants, who came to help him to
dismount, and ran to give his name in the count's apartments. The latter
was about to sit down to supper when his relative was announced; he
immediately went to receive the marquis, embraced him again and again,
and gave him the most friendly and gracious reception possible. He wished
then to take him into the dining-room to present him to all the family;
but the marquis called his attention to the disorder of his dress, and
begged for a few minutes' conversation. The count took him into his
dressing-room, and had him dressed from head to foot in his own clothes,
whilst they talked. The marquis then narrated a made-up story to M. de
Saint-Geran relative to the accusation brought against him. This greatly
impressed his relative, and gave him a secure footing in the chateau.
When he had finished dressing, he followed the count, who presented him
to the countess and the rest of the family.

It will now be in place to state who the inmates of the chateau were, and
to relate some previous occurrences to explain subsequent ones.

The Marshal de Saint-Geran, of the illustrious house of Guiche, and
governor of the Bourbonnais, had married, for his first