"What more do you wish for, monseigneur? In secret Blanche loves you; but do you think that so timid a young girl will confess what is passing in her heart? It is not until after she has yielded that she banishes all constraint." "Blanche loves me, say you? Ah, if it were true. But it is late; go and take some rest. Tomorrow we will go and see Julia." Touquet bowed to the marquis, and looked stealthily and scrutinizingly at him; then he took a candle, and departed in silence. For a long while the marquis remained at the table, buried in thought, or drinking glass after glass of wine. He seemed to wish to drown in the liquor the thoughts which pursued him. Finally he rang for Germain, and said to him in a gloomy voice,-- "Who has the double keys to the chateau?" "The porter should have them, monseigneur." "Bid him come here, I wish to speak to him." The old porter hastened to obey his master's orders. "Are there some double keys for these apartments?" said the marquis. "Yes, monseigneur, there are even triple keys; 'tis an ancient usage that dates from--" "Go and get me those of the tower which looks on the lake." The porter departed, and soon returned with a bunch of keys, saying,-- "If monseigneur wishes I will conduct him through the chateau." "Give me those and go, I do not need your assistance," said the marquis, snatching the keys from his hand. The old man, stupefied, bowed and departed, without daring to raise his eyes on his master. The marquis dismissed his servants, saying that he had need of rest, and presently the most profound silence reigned in the chateau and in the grounds pertaining to it. As for the Marquis de Villebelle, he walked irresolutely about his apartment, holding the bunch of keys in his hand, and meditating deeply. He was apparently still undecided as to what course he should take, and muttered to himself from time to time,-- "No, I cannot make use of these keys--she seemed to give me her confidence and I dare not abuse it; but must she pass her life thus? To be so near her, to have abducted her in vain. What would all the libertines say of me, all the people of fashion, if they knew of my conduct? But if they could see Blanche! Why did that cursed Touquet speak to me of these keys? I should have divined that when he entered this chateau, that man would advise me to commit some wicked action." Some moments passed, and at last the marquis took up a candle, and exclaimed,-- "It is settled; I will listen only to the passion which leads me."