After a moment's thought, D'Harville replied, "You are right; this light sorrow will doubtless satisfy jealous destiny. But an idea has just struck me; I have a mind to have this morning a bachelor breakfast, all friends of M. de Lucenay, to congratulate him on the happy result of his duel: he will be enchanted." "Joy forever! Make up lost time. How many covers, so that I can give the orders?" "Six, in the little winter breakfast parlor." "And the invitations?" "I will go and write them. A man from the stables can take them round on horseback. It is early; they will all be found at home. Ring." D'Harville entered his cabinet, and wrote the following notes, without any other address than the name of the invited:-- "My Dear * * *--This is a circular; an impromptu affair is in agitation. Lucenay is to come and breakfast with me this morning; he counts only on a _tete-a-tete_; cause him a very agreeable surprise by joining me, and a few other of his friends, whom I have also advised. "At noon precisely. "A. D'HARVILLE." "Let some one mount a horse immediately," said D'Harville, to a servant who answered the bell, "and deliver these letters." Then, turning to Joseph, he directed him to address them as follows: "M. le Vicomte de Saint Remy. Lucenay cannot do without him," said D'Harville to himself. "M. de Monville--one of his traveling companions. Lord Douglas--his faithful partner at whist. Baron de Sezannes--the friend of his youth. Have you written?" "Yes, my lord." "Send these letters without losing a moment," said D'Harville. "Ah, Philippe! ask M. Doublet to come to me." The servant retired. "Well! what is the matter?" asked D'Harville of Joseph, who looked at him with amazement. "I cannot get over it, sir! I never saw you so gay; and, besides, you, who are commonly so pale, have a fine color--your eyes sparkle." "Happiness! old Joseph, happiness! Oh! now you must assist me in a scheme. You must go and find out from Juliette who has charge of her ladyship's diamonds." "Yes, it is Mademoiselle Juliette, my lord, who takes care of them; I helped her, not a week ago, to clean them." "You go and ask her the name and address of the jeweler of her mistress; but she must not say a word on the subject to my lady." "Ah! I understand! A surprise." "Go quickly. Here is M. Doublet. My dear M. Doublet, I am going to frighten you," said he, laughing. "I am going to make you utter cries of distress." "Me! my lord?" "You!" "I will do all in my power to satisfy your lordship." "I am going to spend a great deal of money, M. Doublet--an enormous amount of money." "What of that, my lord? We are able to do it--well able to do it."