He turned then to Frau von Nérac, to whom also he paid his respects courteously; but there must have been something in his manner offensive to the young widow, for her eyes flashed, although an amiable smile played about her lips. "Of course we know one another," she repeated. "We had the pleasure of a visit from the Marquis the day before yesterday." "And you never mentioned it to me when I spoke of Frau von Nérac yesterday," said Hortense, in some surprise. "I was not fortunate enough to see Madame de Nérac," Montigny replied, with a degree of coldness which struck even his sister. "My visit was paid to her brother, with whom I wished to arrange a matter of some importance. You have not forgotten my request, Herr von Clermont?" Henri's hand trembled slightly as he leaned upon the cushion of the lounge where he was sitting, but he replied, calmly, "No, Herr Marquis; such things are not easily forgotten." "I am glad to hear you say so. I may rely upon it, then, that the matter will be adjusted as we decided. Take my arm, Hortense; supper is served." He offered his arm to his sister, inclined his head to Frau von Nérac, and led the Countess away. As they left the room Henri leaned towards the young widow, and said in a whisper, which did not, however, conceal his agitation, "What do you mean, Héloïse? You know why Montigny paid that visit, you heard the whole conversation from the antechamber, and yet you ventured to allude to his coming!" Héloïse's lip curled contemptuously, but she replied, also in a whisper, "You seem very much afraid of this Montigny." "And you are rash enough to irritate him. You surely understood what he said as well as I did, and you know that he threatened----" "That which he never will carry out." Henri glanced around the room: it was quite empty; every one had gone to supper. Nevertheless, he still spoke in a whisper as he said, "Do you forget that we are in his power? He has but to speak the word----" "He dare not speak it; it would cost him too dear. He who ruins us ruins himself also, and brings to light what there is every reason for concealing. You are a fool, Henri, to be frightened by such threats. Montigny must be silent; he risks his own position if he assault ours. He never would be forgiven for speaking out." "No matter for that, he can do us an injury at the embassy; he can deprive us of our standing there, and it is uncertain enough already. We must yield, at least in appearance, and forego Raoul's visits for the present." "Do you suppose that he will forego them?" asked Héloïse. "That is for you to decide. You have only to say what will send him away, for a time at least, and this you must do." "At the bidding of Herr von Montigny? Never!" "Héloïse, be reasonable,--you must make a sacrifice of your personal feeling. I am sure I set you the example." "Indeed you do! I never would have submitted to what you endured at Montigny's hands."