"Go, monsieur, go! The night brings counsel, and after a little reflection you will abandon your absurd and sanguinary pretensions." "So be it, monsieur, but in that case you may rest assured that I shall resort to other means," retorted the model youth, casting a venomous look at the hunchback, as he turned to depart. [Illustration: "_'Enough, monsieur, enough._'" Original etching by Adrian Marcel.] Madame de Mirecourt, recollecting what Madame de Senneterre had said in relation to M. de Macreuse, was not sorry to see that gentleman's villainy exposed, but to put an end to the excitement and confusion this strange scene had created, she requested several men she knew very well to form a quadrille as soon as possible. In fact, the young men were already starting out in search of partners. This exposure of M. de Macreuse filled Mlle. de Beaumesnil's heart with gratitude and also with terror when she thought that she might have yielded to the interest M. de Macreuse had at first inspired, and perhaps married a man capable of such an infamous act--an act that revealed an utterly depraved nature. While engaged in these reflections, the orphan saw that Madame de Senneterre and Madame de la Rochaigue, who had been for a time unable to force their way through the crowd that had gathered around the two men, had returned and resumed their seats beside her. The marquis then rose and stepped around back of the divan, after which he leaned over Madame de la Rochaigue and said, almost in a whisper: "Ah, well, madame, you see I am not a bad auxiliary, after all. I discover many strange and villainous things from my post of observation, as I told you some time ago." "I am utterly astounded, my dear marquis," replied the baroness. "I understand everything now, however. This explains why my odious sister-in-law has been dragging the poor dear child off to the Church of St. Thomas d'Aquin every morning. With her apparent stupidity and her religious zeal, Helena is a most perfidious creature. Did any one ever hear of such deceitfulness and treachery?" "The end is not yet, my dear baroness. You have not only been sheltering a viper in your house, but a veritable serpent as well." "A serpent?" "Yes, an enormous one, with long teeth," said the marquis, with a meaning glance at M. de la Rochaigue, who happened to be standing in the doorway, showing his teeth after his usual fashion. "What! my husband?" exclaimed the baroness. "What do you mean?" "You will soon know. Do you see that stout man advancing towards us with such a triumphant air?" "Of course. That is M. de Mornand." "He is coming to ask your ward to dance." "Oh, that doesn't matter. We can let her dance with anybody now, for we were right in our suppositions. The dear child is charmed with M. de Senneterre, my dear marquis." "I am sure of it." "So behold the Duchesse de Senneterre," said Madame de la Rochaigue, triumphantly, "and that without the slightest trouble."