"Will you have the kindness to tell me at what hour I can find him?" "Never!" "What! never?" "No; monsieur le comte no longer lives here, he doesn't sleep in monsieur le marquis his father's house, and he never comes here; so, you see, you will never find him here." "Then, monsieur le concierge, will you kindly tell me where monsieur le comte lives now, and I will go there." "I don't know where monsieur le comte lives; besides, it is none of my business to give his address!" "But, monsieur, I must speak with monsieur le comte; it is absolutely necessary!" "That is none of my business." And the concierge closed the door of his lodge with a most unamiable air. Ambroisine remained in the courtyard, in despair at the unsuccess of the step she had taken, and unable to make up her mind to go away. At that moment old Hector, the marquis's valet, came from a porch at the rear and crossed the courtyard. He saw Ambroisine, and as beauty always exerts a charm, even over old men, he approached the comely girl and said, observing her distressed look: "What is the matter, my pretty maid? Do you wish something here?" "Yes, monsieur; I hoped to find someone, and I am told that he is no longer here." "Whom do you seek, my child?" "I desire to see the young gentleman of the house, monsieur--Comte Léodgard." "My master's son!" rejoined old Hector, with a profound sigh. "Ah! this is no longer the place to look for him; Monsieur le Comte de Marvejols is no longer to be found under his father's roof. Nearly a month ago he ceased entirely to come to the house; and monsieur le marquis, although he tries not to show it, is deeply grieved, I can see." "But, monsieur, if monsieur le comte no longer lives here, he must live somewhere, unless--mon Dieu!--unless he has left Paris--France?" "No, no, my child, don't be alarmed!" replied the old servant, compressing his lips with an expression in which there was a faint suggestion of cunning; "monsieur le marquis's son has not left Paris. Oh! he leads too merry a life here to have any idea of going away!--And are you so very anxious to see him, my pretty maid?" "Yes, monsieur, it is so important! A certain person's repose, her happiness, is at stake. I have a letter to give to Monsieur Léodgard; and your concierge will not tell me where I can find him."