A porter in dress livery of brown and silver, with his hair carefully powdered, and dressed in silk stockings, appeared on the threshold of an elegant lodge, which resembled the smoky cave of the Pipelets as much as does the tub of a stocking-darner the splendid shop of a fashionable dressmaker. "M. de Saint-Remy?" said the comte, in an abrupt tone. The porter, instead of replying, scrutinised with impertinent curiosity the white beard, the threadbare frock coat, and the napless hat of the unknown, who held a stout cane in his hand. "M. de Saint-Remy?" again said the comte, impatiently, and much irritated at the insolent demeanour of the porter. "M. le Vicomte is not at home." So saying, the co-mate of M. Pipelet opened the door, and, with a significant gesture, invited the unknown to retire. "I will wait for him," said the comte, and he moved forward. "Holloa! Come, I say, my friend, that's not the way people enter other people's houses!" exclaimed the porter, running after the comte, and taking him by the arm. "What, fellow!" replied the old man, with a threatening air, and lifting his cane, "dare you to lay your hands on me?" "I dare do more than that if you do not be off quickly. I tell you the vicomte is not within; so now go away, will you?" At this moment Boyer, attracted by the sound of contending voices, appeared on the steps which led to the house. "What is the meaning of this noise?" he inquired. "M. Boyer, it is this man, who will go into the house, although I have told him that M. le Vicomte is not within." "Hold your tongue!" said the comte. And then addressing Boyer, who had come towards them, "I wish to see my son. He is out, and therefore I will wait for him." We have already said that Boyer was neither ignorant of the existence nor the misanthropy of his master's father; and being, moreover, a physiognomist, he did not for a moment doubt the comte's identity, but, bowing respectfully, replied: "If M. le Comte will follow me, I will conduct him--" "Very well!" said M. de Saint-Remy, who followed Boyer, to the extreme amazement of the porter. Preceded by the _valet de chambre_, the comte reached the first story, and followed his guide across the small sitting-room of Florestan de Saint-Remy (we shall in future call the viscount by his baptismal name to distinguish him more easily from his father) until they reached a small antechamber communicating with the sitting-room, and sitting immediately over the boudoir on the ground floor. "M. le Vicomte was obliged to go out this morning," said Boyer. "If M. le Comte will be so kind as to wait a little for him, he will not be long before he comes in." And the _valet de chambre_ quitted the apartment.