“What! will the marriage not take place?” exclaimed Esther, much agitated, for she saw a glimpse of Paradise. “I do not yet know what is being plotted against me----” “My Lucien,” said she in a deliciously coaxing voice, “why be worried about it? You can make a better match by and by--I will get you the price of two estates----” “Give us supper to-night that I may be able to speak in secret to Carlos, and, above all, invite the sham Englishman and Val-Noble. That nabob is my ruin; he is our enemy; we will get hold of him, and we----” But Lucien broke off with a gesture of despair. “Well, what is it?” asked the poor girl. “Oh! Madame de Serizy sees me!” cried Lucien, “and to crown our woes, the Duc de Rhetore, who witnessed my dismissal, is with her.” In fact, at that very minute, the Duc de Rhetore was amusing himself with Madame de Serizy’s discomfiture. “Do you allow Lucien to be seen in Mademoiselle Esther’s box?” said the young Duke, pointing to the box and to Lucien; “you, who take an interest in him, should really tell him such things are not allowed. He may sup at her house, he may even--But, in fact, I am no longer surprised at the Grandlieus’ coolness towards the young man. I have just seen their door shut in his face--on the front steps----” “Women of that sort are very dangerous,” said Madame de Serizy, turning her opera-glass on Esther’s box. “Yes,” said the Duke, “as much by what they can do as by what they wish----” “They will ruin him!” cried Madame de Serizy, “for I am told they cost as much whether they are paid or no.” “Not to him!” said the young Duke, affecting surprise. “They are far from costing him anything; they give him money at need, and all run after him.” The Countess’ lips showed a little nervous twitching which could not be included in any category of smiles. “Well, then,” said Esther, “come to supper at midnight. Bring Blondet and Rastignac; let us have two amusing persons at any rate; and we won’t be more than nine.” “You must find some excuse for sending the Baron to fetch Eugenie under pretence of warning Asie, and tell her what has befallen me, so that Carlos may know before he has the nabob under his claws.” “That shall be done,” said Esther. And thus Peyrade was probably about to find himself unwittingly under the same roof with his adversary. The tiger was coming into the lion’s den, and a lion surrounded by his guards.