The _Prefet_ this time did not withdraw his hand; he extended it, but it was with a certain awkwardness and timidity. "I thought it my duty to call on you, Vicomte, thus early, having already seen M. Enguerrand de Vandemar. He has shown me the copies of the _pieces_ which were inspected by your distinguished kinsmen, and which completely clear you of the charge that--grant me your pardon when I say--seemed to me still to remain unanswered when I had the honour to meet you last night." "It appears to me, Monsieur Hennequin, that you, as an _avocat_ so eminent, might have convinced yourself very readily of that fact." "Monsieur le Vicomte, I was in Switzerland with my wife at the time of the unfortunate affair in which you were involved." "But when you returned to Paris, you might perhaps have deigned to make inquiries so affecting the honour of one you had called a friend, and for whom you had professed"--De Mauleon paused; he disdained to add--"an eternal gratitude." Hennequin coloured slightly, but replied with self-possession. "I certainly did inquire. I did hear that the charge against you with regard to the abstraction of the jewels was withdrawn, that you were therefore acquitted by law; but I heard also that society did not acquit you, and that, finding this, you had quitted France. Pardon me again, no one would listen to me when I attempted to speak on your behalf but now that so many years have elapsed, that the story is imperfectly remembered, that relations so high-placed receive you so cordially,--now I rejoice to think that you will have no difficulty in regaining a social position never really lost, but for a time resigned." "I am duly sensible of the friendly joy you express. I was reading the other day in a lively author some pleasant remarks on the effects of _medisance_ or calumny upon our impressionable Parisian public. 'If,' says the writer, 'I found myself accused of having put the two towers of Notre Dame into my waistcoat-pocket I should not dream of defending myself; I should take to flight. And,' adds the writer, 'if my best friend were under the same accusation, I should be so afraid of being considered his accomplice that I should put my best friend outside the door.' Perhaps, Monsieur Hennequin, I was seized with the first alarm. Why should I blame you if seized with the second? Happily, this good city of Paris has its reactions. And you can now offer me your hand. Paris has by this time discovered that the two towers of Notre Dame are not in my pocket." There was a pause. De Mauleon had resettled himself at his desk, bending over his papers, and his manner seemed to imply that he considered the conversation at an end.