."

He was ready, in fact, when the old servant returned; and, as he
had in his pocket some of those arguments that lend wings to the
poorest cab-horses, in less than ten minutes he had reached the
Hotel des Folies.

"How is Mlle. Lucienne?" he inquired first of all of the worthy
hostess.

The intervention of the commissary of police had made M. Fortin and
his wife more supple than gloves, and more gentle than doves.

"The poor dear child is much better," answered Mme. Fortin; "and
the doctor, who has just left, now feels sure of her recovery. But
there is a row up there."

"A row?"

"Yes. That lady whom my husband went after last night insists upon
going out; and M. Maxence won't let her: so that they are quarreling
up there. Just listen."

The loud noise of a violent altercation could be heard distinctly.
M. de Tregars started up stairs, and on the second-story landing he
found Maxence holding on obstinately to the railing, whilst Mme.
Zelie Cadelle, redder than a peony, was trying to induce him to let
her pass, treating him at the same time to some of the choicest
epithets of her well-stocked repertory. Catching sight of Marius,

"Is it you," she cried, "who gave orders to keep me here against my
wishes? By what right? Am I your prisoner?"

To irritate her would have been imprudent.

"Why did you wish to leave," said M. de Tregars gently, "at the very
moment when you knew that I was to call for you?"

But she interrupted him, and, shrugging her shoulders,

"Why don't you tell the truth?" she said. "You were afraid to
trust me."

"Oh!"

"You are wrong! What I promise to do I do. I only wanted to go
home to dress. Can I go in the street in this costume?"

And she was spreading out her wrapper, all faded and stained.

"I have a carriage below," said Marius. "No one will see us."

Doubtless she understood that it was useless to hesitate.

"As you please," she said.

M. de Tregars took Maxence aside, and in a hurried whisper,

"You must," said he, "go at once to the Rue St. Gilles, and in my
name request your sister to accompany you. You will take a closed
carriage, and you'll go and wait in the Rue St. Lazare, opposite
No. 25. It may be that Mlle. Gilberte's assistance will become
indispensable to me. And, as Lucienne must not be left alone, you
will request Mme. Fortin to go and stay with her."

And, without waiting for an answer,

"Let us go," he said to Mme. Cadelle.

They