The barber departed and Germain returned with Urbain, who, having travelled without stopping, had arrived at Sarcus, and was waiting impatiently at the porter's lodge for the answer which the marquis should send him. "My master consents to see you. Follow me, monsieur, I will take you to him," said Germain to Urbain; the latter joyfully hastened to follow the valet, who introduced him to the marquis. Urbain entered the room trembling; approaching with embarrassment the great nobleman, who was seated on a sofa, and who looked curiously at the young man, unable to resist a certain interest which Urbain's refined and distinguished face inspired. "Deign to excuse, seigneur, the liberty which I take," said the young bachelor, bowing low to the marquis. "Speak, monsieur, what do you want of me?" "I come to implore your protection. You gave me permission to have recourse to it. We have already seen each other at Paris, some time ago; I was disguised, I met you at night in the Grand Pre-aux-Clercs, fought a duel--" "What, my brave fellow, was that you, who were dressed as a girl?" "Yes, seigneur, I had the misfortune to wound you in the arm." "And I tell you that that was just, for I was wrong, as I usually am. Hang it! I'm delighted to see you again; give me your hand, you are a brave fellow." The marquis rose, came towards Urbain and cordially shook him by the hand. The latter, delighted by this welcome, did not know how to evince his gratitude. "Seat yourself near me," said Villebelle, "and tell me what has procured me the pleasure of receiving you in my chateau." "Monseigneur, you had the goodness to offer me your protection if I were unfortunate, and I come to claim it." "You do well, my dear fellow; speak without fear. Is it money that you need, I have it at your service; don't spare it, I often enough make a bad use of it, once at least let it serve me in making somebody happy." "Fortune could not render me happy, for it is love which causes my trouble, monseigneur." "Oh, you are in love; that's different, I am in love, also; and at this moment it does not make me very happy, either. But come, tell me your love affairs." "I love, I adore, a charming young girl--ah, monseigneur, there is nobody to be compared to her." "Perhaps, but go on." "She did not know her parents, but the man who had brought her up gave me her hand. Only one day and we should have been united, when a wretch introduced himself into the house where she lived and carried off from me the one who was about to become my wife." "That's very singular," said the marquis, struck by Urbain's recital, "and do you know the name of this ravisher?"'