"O the wretch!" said the domino; "it is more than probable, that he will get up a terrible scene with his wife on his return home, and all in consequence of the silly remark of a domino,--poor Bertha!" "The best proof that I am not jealous, and that I bear no malice," said M. de Brévannes, with an air of forced gaiety, "is that I shall be delighted if you will come and sup with us." "No, I am too amiable to do that; I could not refrain from telling you some unpalatable truths, and they would be unpleasant for the rest of the company. I might, perhaps, make amends to them by shewing you in a new and very disagreeable light, but it does not suit me yet to execute you publicly. If you are not discreet--if you come here again--I shall find you some of these Saturdays, and then mind, for this chest shall serve for the tribunal, and you shall hear some strange things if you dare come, but you will not venture." "He? Brévannes, not dare?" said Fierval, laughing. "You evidently don't know him, charming mask." "You don't know that he can do all he chooses," said another. "Don't back out of it, Brévannes, and mind you come next Saturday," said Fierval, "discreet or not." "I have nothing better to say to you, engaging mask," replied Brévannes, "these gentlemen are my witnesses. On Saturday, if you defy me, I accept the challenge." [Illustration 03: "'Saturday be it, then,' said the domino; 'but I warn you, you occasioned the scream the domino with the blue and yellow ribands uttered.'"] "Saturday, be it then," said the domino, "but I warn you again, that _you_ occasioned the scream of surprise, almost of horror, that the domino with the blue and yellow ribands uttered." "Nonsense! you are mad. If you won't come with us, I must leave you." "Very well; but mind, Saturday." "Saturday," repeated Brévannes as he walked away. M. de Morville had attentively listened to this conversation, and had not the smallest doubt in his mind but that the sight of Brévannes had occasioned the princess's alarm. He recollected that during the interview he had just had with Madame de Hansfeld she had alluded to M. de Brévannes as one of the two persons who possessed the secret, whose disclosure she so much dreaded. What circumstances could have brought M. de Brévannes and Madame de Hansfeld together? Where had he known her? What was the secret which he possessed? Was the cool raillery of Madame de Hansfeld at the termination of their conversation real or assumed? These were the questions which passed through De Morville's mind as he returned sorrowfully home. CHAPTER VI M. DE BRÉVANNES A few words are now necessary with respect to M. de Brévannes, an important actor in this history.