"'Ah! I know that nobleman, and his son too. He had a pretty little pile of debts, had the son; but the father paid them all some time ago; it was my master, my solicitor, who called the creditors together. Comte Léodgard promised to reform, but he doesn't reform; he is beginning to run in debt again; and then, he's a great fellow for midnight intrigues! I'll wager that he won't come here to-night; he is too fully occupied elsewhere!'" "The clerk said that?" "Yes, mademoiselle; I was quite near him and I heard him plainly." "Well! what else did he say? go on!" "He said nothing more on that subject, mademoiselle; for other persons arrived, and he had comments to make on them. It seems that that young man knows all Paris; but nothing more was said about the son of Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols." "What a pity! I should be so glad to know something more; and it is very probable that this clerk--what did you call him?" "Bahuchet, mademoiselle; a bit of a man, not so tall as I am, and with a most original face!" "This Monsieur Bahuchet must know more; and as he is so talkative, if one had an opportunity to question him----" At that moment the door of the salon opened, and a servant appeared and said: "The clerk from the office of madame's solicitor, who came last evening, wishes to know if he may speak to Madame de Ravenelle." "Oh, yes! yes!" cried Valentine, jumping for joy. "Let him come in; he could not come more opportunely!" "Eh! mon Dieu! what is it? why this noise, these cries?" demanded the old lady, rudely awakened from her nap. "What is the matter, Valentine?" "Your solicitor's clerk wishes to speak with you, aunt." "And that is your reason for shrieking so! Let them send the clerk away; I do not care to attend to any business to-day, I am too tired." "But, aunt, he came last night; and then, if you knew--he will tell us some very interesting things about the young Comte de Marvejols." "What! my solicitor?" "His clerk. I beg you, my dear aunt, let me question him; do not you take the trouble to speak, if it tires you; I will speak for you." Madame de Ravenelle threw herself back in her reclining chair, and at the same instant Monsieur Bahuchet was ushered into the presence of the ladies. XXIV THE WHITE PLUME At sight of that young man of four feet eight, with his enormous head, his huge mouth, his gaping nostrils, and, with all the rest, a self-assured and pretentious air which bordered closely upon impertinence, Valentine turned her head away in order not to laugh in his face. Bahuchet took four steps into the salon, then made two very low reverences, one to Madame de Ravenelle, the other to her niece. As for Miretta, he simply bestowed a patronizing smile upon her, as if to say: "I know you, my dear; I know that you are the lady's-maid." "What do you want with me, monsieur?" inquired the old lady, without moving.