Urbain, delighted at seeing the man again who had promised to tell him the name of Blanche's ravisher, uttered a joyful exclamation, and ran towards Chaudoreille. The sudden cry and approach of the young man frightened the horse, which jumped, and sent his rider six feet from him into a thick hedge. "All the bones in my body are broken," cried Chaudoreille, while falling. Urbain ran to help him up, and to make his excuses, but the chevalier drew away from him, and while rubbing himself looked at Urbain, who did not cease to repeat,-- "I am Blanche's lover, the young man whom you met that night, and whom you promised to meet at Porte Montmartre." "My faith, that's true, I recognize you now; but why the deuce did you run at me, and shout so loud? This is the first time that I have been unhorsed." "Monsieur, oblige me by keeping your promise; tell me the name of Blanche's abductor. I can now recompense you beyond your hopes." "Hush!" said Chaudoreille, drawing Urbain towards the hedge which hid them from sight of the chateau; "imprudent young man, don't speak so loud." "Why not?" "Silence, I tell you. What! you are at Sarcus, and you don't know the name of your sweetheart's abductor?" "No, of course not; I came to beg the Marquis de Villebelle's protection, and thanks to him I hope--" "Oh, for once this is too much! Young man, you interest me. I am about to risk myself for you; but you have promised me a liberal recompense." "Here, take this gold, these notes, and speak at once." "Your sweetheart's abductor is no other than the Marquis de Villebelle." "The marquis?" "Why yes, by jingo! and your little girl is now at the Chateau de Sarcus." "No, that is not possible; you are deceiving me. The marquis has heaped benefits upon me." "The better to disarm your suspicions. Zounds! how young you still are. I tell you that your Blanche is at the chateau, and that the barber--" "Is before you," said a stern voice, which came from the other side of the hedge, and, at the same moment, the foliage parted and Touquet appeared before the astonished Urbain; while Chaudoreille, whose legs failed him at this sudden apparition, fell again into the hedge, muttering,-- "It's the devil." "This wretch has not told you all, Seigneur Urbain," said the barber. "Under pretext of serving you he has given you some half confidences, but I wish you should know all the obligation under which you lie to him. You were about to wed Blanche, and nothing was opposed to your marriage; the marquis had never heard of that young girl, whom I had carefully kept from his sight, foreseeing to what excesses he would be carried; but Chaudoreille, in spite of his promises, gave the marquis a most seductive portrait of your sweetheart and told him of your approaching marriage. Finally, it is to him that you owe Blanche's abduction and the loss of your happiness. Answer, clown, is not this the truth?"