o'clock," he said, and showed
the dial to Chavernay, who looked puzzled, but also unconvinced.

"No one will come," said Navailles, mockingly.

At that moment Chavernay's quick ear caught the sound of footsteps in the
private passage outside, and called attention to the sound. "Some one is
coming. Is it Lagardere?"

As he spoke all eyes were fixed upon the door. So firmly had the fear of
Lagardere emanated from the consciousness of Gonzague to impress the
hearts of his party that even then, when all present had the assurance
from their leader that Lagardere was dead and done with, their conviction
not unsettled, indeed, but somewhat disturbed by Chavernay's words and
Chavernay's strange message, waited with uneasy expectation for what
might happen. Then the door opened fully, and the hunchback came into the
room, dressed now with a splendor of attire which seemed to contrast more
grotesquely than his wonted sable with his twisted, withered figure. All
present, including Gonzague, had for the moment forgotten the existence
of the hunchback. All present, with the exception of Chavernay, burst
into the loud laughter of relieved nerves as they beheld him.

"This is not Lagardere," said Oriol, holding his fat sides.

The hunchback laughed a mocking laugh in answer to the amusement of the
company and the amazement of Chavernay. "Who speaks of Lagardere? Who
remembers Lagardere? AEsop is the hero of this feast; AEsop is a gentleman
to-night, with a silk coat on his back and a lace kerchief in his
fingers. He woos a beauty, and the chivalry of France shall witness his
triumph. Lagardere is dead! Long live AEsop, who killed him!"

The little marquis advanced towards the jesting hunchback with clinched
hands and angry eyes. "Assassin!" he cried, and seemed as if he would
take the hunchback by the throat, but Gonzague came between his kinsman
and his servant, saying, coldly: "Whoever insults AEsop, insults me. AEsop
marries the girl whom Lagardere called Gabrielle de Nevers."

Chavernay folded his arms and looked fiercely around him. "Now I know why
Lagardere sent for me--to defend a helpless woman."

The hunchback drolled at him: "She will not need your championship. She
will accept with joy the hunchback's hand."

Chavernay shook his head scornfully. "That will never happen."

The hunchback answered him, coolly: "That will happen, Monsieur de
Chavernay."

At that moment the door opposite to the antechamber opened, and