At this moment somebody violently shut the street door. Blanche started joyfully, and Marguerite cried, with a triumphant air,-- "Ah! here is my master! We shall now see whether anyone can establish himself here in spite of us." The marquis rose without answering, took his mantle, put his hat on his head, kissed Blanche's hand, saying to her,-- "Au revoir, charming girl," then left the room saying to Marguerite,-- "Light me!" All this had happened so quickly that Blanche, who was greatly astonished, had not time to oppose the action of the marquis, and the old servant followed the great nobleman, saying,-- "O mon Dieu, what a man!" The barber had entered and was taking off his mantle, when the marquis, followed by Marguerite, appeared in the lower room. At the sight of Villebelle, Touquet started with surprise, saying,-- "What, you here, monseigneur!" He paused and Marguerite cried,-- "Yes, my dear master, monseigneur has been here for three-quarters of an hour. He presented himself as coming from you, and he installed himself in Mademoiselle Blanche's room." "In Blanche's room," said the barber, appearing violently agitated. "Yes, monsieur, in mademoiselle's room--" "That's enough, my good woman, leave us," said the marquis, in an imperious tone. "Leave you," answered Marguerite, "oh, it is necessary before all--" "It is necessary to obey," said the barber, in a gloomy voice. "Go!" Marguerite was dumbfounded, but she dared not reply and left them, saying,-- "Well, I don't understand all this, this man does as he pleases here, it troubles me." "Well, dear nurse," said Blanche to the old woman, "and what about the stranger?" "Oh, I don't know who that man can be, but M. Touquet is as submissive as a child before him. I left them together. This fine gentleman said to me, 'Go!' and it was necessary to obey him." "That's very surprising, dear nurse." "How did you like that man?" "Oh, he is not so bad, dear nurse, and if I had not been a little afraid of him, I believe I should have thought him very agreeable." "Ah, mon Dieu, I was very much frightened; he has something satanic in his looks." "Oh, dear nurse, you're mistaken, he has a very fine face, features which inspire respect, and which are bland at the same time." "Fie! for shame! my child, to admire such an impertinent man. Oh, if your Urbain could hear you." "But, dear nurse, I should say the same thing before Urbain. Is it not necessary to tell him all that I think? That could not displease him, for he knows how much I love him." "Come, my child, it's late, go to bed. I am going, too, good-night." Marguerite went up to her room, saying to herself,-- "Young girls will always be young girls. The most virtuous of them will allow themselves to be favorably impressed by fine compliments, a handsome face, and rich clothing. These are terrible talismans with the women."