"Nothing more simple," said the domino. "The difficulty has tempted him; no one has succeeded with Madame de Hansfeld, and he would he jealous of this success; because De Morville is a fool, it does not follow that he is not a coxcomb." "And because you have wit, charming mask," said M. de Brévannes, "it does not follow that you should be just." A domino took M. de Gercourt by the arm, and put an end to this discussion about M. de Morville, who thus lost his stanchest defender. "And how long has this enchanting princess been in Paris?" inquired M. de Brévannes. "About three or four months," replied M. de Fierval. "And who introduced her into society?" "The wife of the Saxon Minister; the prince is a Saxon himself." "The prince!" continued M. de Brévannes; "is it really possible that nothing more than you say is known of this mysterious stranger?" "I can tell you," answered M. de Fierval, "that as inquisitive as the rest of the world to penetrate the smallest corner of this mystery, I have inquired of the minister of Saxony." "Well?" "He gave me an evasive reply. The prince, whose health was extremely delicate, lived in perfect retirement; he was obliged to submit to very strict regimen; his journey had fatigued him greatly; in fact, I saw that my questions decidedly embarrassed the minister, so I ended the conversation, and have since abstained from again mentioning M. de Hansfeld's name in his presence." "It is really remarkably odd," said M. de Brévannes; "and no one amongst the foreigners here knows anything of the prince?" "All I have been able to learn is, that he was married in Italy, and that, after a journey to England, he came and established himself here." "As far as one may hazard an opinion on so obscure a matter," said another, "I should decidedly say that the prince was weak in his intellect, or something very like it." "In fact," observed the domino, "the care that is taken to conceal him from all eyes----" "The embarrassment of the Saxon minister, in replying to you," said M. de Brévannes to M. de Fierval; "the sombre and melancholy air of the princess.--But then, why does this melancholy beauty go into the world?" "Do you wish to keep her constantly immured with her idiot--if idiot he be?" "But she always has the melancholy and sombre appearance you speak of, what pleasure can she find in the world?" "_Ma foi_, I really cannot tell," said M. de Fierval; "it is just this very mystery, which joined to Madame de Hansfeld's beauty, makes her so much the rage." "Has she no intimate friend who could disclose something about her?" inquired M. de Brévannes.