"You are outwitted like the fool that you are, and it has been very cleverly done," De Ravil whispered in the ear of his friend, who stood as if petrified. "I will never forgive you as long as I live for having made me lose my percentage on that dowry." Noble and generous sentiments exert such an irresistible influence sometimes that, after the hunchback's scathing words, M. de Mornand felt that he was censured by every one. Not a voice was lifted in his defence, but fortunately the termination of the quadrille brought quite a crowd of people into the gallery, and the prospective minister was thus afforded an opportunity to make his escape, pale and agitated, and without having been able to find a word to say in refutation of M. de Maillefort's grievous charges. The marquis then rejoined Madame de la Rochaigue, who was as entirely in the dark concerning what had just taken place as Ernestine. "It is absolutely necessary that you take Mlle. de Beaumesnil away at once," M. de Maillefort said to the baroness. "Her presence here is no longer desirable. Yes, my dear child," added the marquis, turning to Mlle. de Beaumesnil, "the unpleasant curiosity you excite is increasing, instead of diminishing. To-morrow I will tell you all, but now take my advice and go home at once." "Oh, gladly, monsieur," replied Ernestine, "for I am in misery." So the young girl rose and took the arm of Madame de la Rochaigue, who said to the hunchback, in a tone of the liveliest gratitude: "I understand the situation now, I think. M. de Mornand had also entered the lists, it seems." "We will talk all this over to-morrow. Now, in Heaven's name, take Mlle. de Beaumesnil away at once!" "Ah, you are certainly our guardian angel, my dear marquis," whispered Madame de la Rochaigue. "I was wise to confide in you!" "Yes, yes, but for pity's sake, get Mlle. de Beaumesnil away." The orphan cast a quick glance of gratitude at the hunchback, then, agitated and almost terrified by the exciting events of the evening, she left the ballroom in company with Madame de la Rochaigue; but M. de Maillefort remained, unwilling to appear to leave under cover of the sort of stupor his daring act had caused. De Ravil, like a true cynic, had no sooner witnessed the ruin of his friend Mornand's hopes than he abandoned him then and there. The future minister had thrown himself into a cab, but Ravil wended his way homeward on foot, reviewing the events that had just occurred, and comparing the overthrow of M. de Mornand with that of M. de Macreuse. As he turned the corner of the street on which Madame de Mirecourt's house stood, De Ravil saw in the bright moonlight a man a short distance ahead of him, walking now slowly, now with feverish haste.