"Well," was Julia's brusque greeting to the chevalier, "what have you learned?" "Thanks to my assiduity I am at last enabled to bring you some important news," cried the little Gascon with a self-satisfied air. "For the past forty-eight hours I have not budged from before the marquis' hotel, minutely examining all who came or went." "Well?" "Well, indeed! The marquis has returned." "He is here?" "Yes, signora, at his hotel. I saw him arrive this morning in a travelling carriage." "Very well, I shall see him, I hope." "What orders have you to give me now? Where is it necessary for me to go? I am ready." "You have not yet seen this young Urbain?" "Alas, no, I'm of the opinion that the poor boy is dead from love; he was as thin as a cuckoo. I don't see what could have prevented his coming to our rendezvous." "Return to the hotel. I tremble lest the marquis should leave without our knowing it, and in order to recover Blanche it is important that I should know the least step that Villebelle takes." "That's very right. I'll return then to my post." "Take this gold, but redouble your zeal; hasten; if you are tired, take a chair." "I, take a sedan chair? I would much rather crawl all the way there. Don't disturb yourself, signora, my legs are always at my service." Chaudoreille gone, Julia seated herself at her desk and prepared to write, but suddenly, throwing the pen far from her, she rose, exclaiming,-- "It's urgently necessary that I should see him, that I should speak to him; I will go to his hotel." She immediately rang for her maid, and began to make her toilet. Despite the uneasiness she experienced, her mirror was often consulted, and she neglected nothing that would add to her charm. This important task accomplished, Julia sent for a sedan chair, and was carried to the marquis' dwelling. On entering the immense court of this magnificent hotel, the young Italian could hardly master her agitation. "What does madame desire?" said the porter. "To see the Marquis de Villebelle." "Monseigneur returned from England only this morning, and as yet receives nobody." "It is absolutely necessary that I should speak to him." "That is impossible." "Go, at least, and tell him that the Signora Julia desires to see him immediately." The porter sent a lackey with this message, who soon returned, and said to Julia, with an impertinent air,-- "Monseigneur cannot receive you, and begs you to leave the hotel." Julia could not swallow this affront; she looked furiously at the valet and abruptly left. Arrived at home she went to her desk and wrote the following note to the marquis,-- You refuse to see me; it depends, however, upon me to render you the most happy or most unhappy of men. I know that you are Blanche's abductor. Respect that young girl. Hasten to listen to me; I still wish to forgive you, but at some moments I listen to nothing but my fury.