Urbain departed, discouraged at this new event. He grieved for the good Marguerite, who had been the witness of his love and his happiness. He had no idea of any way in which he could obtain information as to Blanche's fate. He went to the Porte Montmartre and waited for three hours, in the hope that he who had given him an appointment would come there; but he waited in vain, and then turned despairingly towards his lodging. The good-natured girl, to whom he made his lament, tried to console him by saying,-- "If it's a nobleman who has abducted your mistress, you must go and ask for her at all the great noblemen's houses." Suddenly Urbain uttered a joyful exclamation, and a slight smile animated his pale and sorrowful features. "There still remains one hope," he said. "And what is that, monsieur?" "In the midst of all these events I had forgotten that adventure, however, it may yet serve me." "What adventure; monsieur?" "Listen to me. You remember that in order to see Blanche I was for some time obliged to disguise myself as a woman." "Oh, yes, monsieur, I remember very well. Didn't I help to dress you and to put in your pins?" The girl smiled. Urbain paid no attention and continued,-- "One evening, I think it was the first time that I wore my disguise, having been accosted by several men, I escaped them by traversing many streets and it was very late when I found myself in the Grand Pre-aux-Clercs. I had almost reached my dwelling when I was stopped by four men, whom by their language I recognized as noblemen of the court. I confessed to them that I was a man, hoping by that means to escape them, but one of them wanted me to tell him the motive for my disguise. I refused, he persisted; I got angry, he threatened; in short, one of his companions lent me his sword and we fought, I wounded my adversary, but very slightly, I think. 'My friend,' he said to me then, tendering me his hand, 'you are a brave man and I am very pleased to have made your acquaintance; if you should some day have need of a protector, come to my hotel, ask for the Marquis de Villebelle and you shall find me ready to oblige you.' Those are his exact words." "The Marquis de Villebelle? Oh, I have sometimes heard my master speak of him. They say that he is a great nobleman, very generous, but a very wild fellow." "No matter, he offered me his protection, and I shall have recourse to it." "Mercy, monsieur, you will do well, and who knows whether he's not acquainted with the rascal who has stolen your darling." "Yes, I hope that the marquis will help me to recover Blanche. These great noblemen tell each other their adventures, their good luck; such a brave man should have some pity on my torture. Why have I not already spoken to him--but his hotel?" "Oh, he's very well known, monsieur, and it will be very easy for you to find that out."