"But I do not believe that he knows. Since monsieur le comte ceased to live with his father, monsieur le marquis never speaks of his son, and he will never hear his name mentioned. But I, who, without making any pretence, know what goes on in my master's heart, have made inquiries without saying anything to him about it; I talked with the valet of one of Monsieur Léodgard's friends, and I learned from him that monsieur le comte occupies a very pretty, elegant house a long way from here--in Rue de Bretonvilliers. It is close by Ile Saint-Louis--a new street recently laid out, in a very deserted quarter. But it seems that that does not prevent monsieur le comte from enjoying himself immensely in his new abode, where he gives fêtes, or rather orgies! for our young gentlemen do not know how to amuse themselves in any other way. Probably fortune, which used to treat Monsieur Léodgard so ill, has ceased to be adverse to him. Well, well! card playing has its chances; there are times when luck favors you as much as it has been against you. If monsieur le comte is lucky now, so much the better; for his father would never pay his debts again.--But I stand chattering here, and my master may need my services." "Rue de Bretonvilliers, you said? Thanks, thanks, monsieur!" "I don't know the number, but there are very few houses on that street as yet, and it will be easy for you to find it." "Oh! yes, monsieur, yes, I will find it; thanks for your kindness." "Go, my child; I hope that you will not make a useless journey!" Ambroisine left the Hôtel de Marvejols and started off again; but she reflected on what the old servant had just told her. If the young count, since he had ceased to live with his father, led a more dissipated life than ever, of course he had entirely forgotten poor Bathilde. That thought weighed heavily on Ambroisine's heart; she had never had any confidence in the oaths which the count had sworn to her friend; but it shook neither her resolution nor her courage. Rue de Bretonvilliers, begun in 1615, contained as yet very few houses; the new buildings were, in many instances, separated by walls enclosing gardens or unimproved land. The _belle baigneuse_ observed one house of a refined but curious style of architecture, consisting of three wings, two of which were on the street, while the third, which was much smaller, was at the rear of an immense courtyard. Something told Ambroisine that that was Léodgard's residence, and she did not hesitate to knock there. "Monsieur le Comte de Marvejols?" she inquired of an old woman whom she saw in the courtyard. The old woman nodded, then took a trumpet from her pocket and put it to her ear. Ambroisine repeated her question, speaking very loud. "Monsieur le comte is not in!" replied the deaf old concierge; "what do you want of him?" "I have a letter for him." "Give it to me." "But I would like an answer." "You can come again." "When must I come to find the count?"