Touquet returned to the chateau and sought the marquis. It was night, and Villebelle was seated before a table as sumptuously furnished as was possible at the chateau; but the marquis, presuming that he should make a long sojourn there, had had his cellars replenished, and if the fare was not so delicate as in Paris, the wines were no less exquisite. The marquis appeared gayer than usual. He had already emptied several bottles, and near him were several letters which he read while supping. "What news?" said he, on perceiving the barber. "My researches have not proved vain, monseigneur. Julia is at the village; she is living at the inn under an assumed name. I have seen Chaudoreille, who is now her confidant." "Ah, the little Gascon. Have you thrashed him soundly?" "Not yet, monseigneur, I wished first to get your orders, and I have not seen Julia." "You have done well, I will speak to her myself. Tomorrow we will go together to the village; I shall make the heedless girl hear reason, and we shall know this grand secret which she pretends she has to tell me." "A secret?" "Yes, and it's necessary, she says, that you should be present when she tells it." "Me? monseigneur." "Tomorrow she shall be satisfied. Do you see those letters? All of those were sent to me from Paris. They are from the great ladies who regret me; there are reproaches, promises, vows, and a little of everything. Here, throw all that in the fire." "What, monsieur le marquis, even those which are unopened?" "Yes, of course; do they not all say the same thing? Ah, a single smile from Blanche is worth all the sweet nothings of these ladies. Why is she not here, near me?" "If monseigneur desires it--" "That she may come with her eyes full of tears? No." The marquis filled a large glass with wine, which he drank at a draught, when he exclaimed,-- "I'm commencing, however, to fear that I sigh in vain; Blanche is near me, in my chateau, but I dare not--but to employ violence, I cannot resort to that." "Without employing violence, monseigneur, are there not a thousand ways? She sleeps undefended--and you have double keys to all the rooms." "What perfidy!" "Not greater, monseigneur, than taking her in a carriage, telling her that she was going to join Urbain." "Be silent, you are a monster; and to listen to your horrible counsels renders me more criminal than yourself." "It was not I, monseigneur, who counselled you to fall in love with Blanche, but since she is in your power, it seems to me that your scruples are a little tardy." The marquis remained silent for some moments; then he resumed,-- "This morning she spoke to me less coldly; I remained several hours with her; she seemed to me less timid. I took her hand, and she left it for a long time in mine."