"You are mad, Miretta; for if you reflect an instant, you will understand that you must be mistaken. To make such charges against a man whom I love---- Oh! it is abominable! I ought to drive you from my presence!" "The soldiers said as you do, madame, that I was mad; but what does it matter to me now what anyone thinks of my words? I know, myself, that I spoke the truth! You bid me reflect, madame! Ah! if I could still doubt what I saw last night, by recalling my memories of the past I should find additional proofs of what I assert.--In heaven's name, madame, allow me to speak; you will still have the right to dismiss me afterward.--I do not know whether you remember a murder that was committed about three years and a half ago--a handsome young man was found in the Fossés-Jaunes, near the Pont-aux-Choux;--the story was told us by that little solicitor's clerk, Bahuchet." "Yes, I remember very well." "From that time, madame, I ceased to see Giovanni; it was he, I cannot doubt, who was murdered, and robbed of his weapons and of the costume he wore at night.--Oh! I remember so well now--the description of that young man corresponded exactly with that of Giovanni." "Assume that it be true--what connection has Léodgard----" "I beg pardon, madame, but in the servants' quarters the servants of your visitors talk with your own people; and as madame deigned sometimes to talk to me of Comte Léodgard, I paid more attention when others spoke of him; and about that time I often heard it said: 'Oh! Comte Léodgard is an excellent master now! it is not as it used to be when he had not the means to pay his esquire; he must have discovered a gold mine lately, for he has paid all his debts, he has hired a beautiful house in Rue de Bretonvilliers, and he gives superb parties there; in short, it seems that he flings money about with both hands, and he's an excellent master!'--That is what I heard said more than once, madame, about the time when I ceased to see my poor Giovanni!" Valentine had turned pale, and her brow was covered with a dark cloud; she rose, however, and paced the floor excitedly, muttering from time to time: "No! no! not if I should hear it a hundred times! Mere conjectures--antechamber gossip, servants' tittle-tattle--what does it all prove? To dare to say that he, Léodgard--so noble and so handsome!--Oh! it is frightful! it is an outrage!" Then, seized with a sudden idea, she asked abruptly: "This man who was pursued last night, and whom you claim to have recognized--he was wounded, you say?" "Yes, madame, and severely wounded, for he lost much blood." "Where was he wounded?" "In the shoulder, so far as I could judge--for he put his hand there several times. I think that I divine madame's thought; if it is her wish, I will go to inquire----" "No, I do not wish you to go out; I will go myself to inquire.--You hear me, Miretta? I forbid you to leave the house before my return." "I will obey you, madame."