They all bowed to each other. “You behold in my dear uncle the effects of an unhappy passion. Those two want to strip him of his fortune and leave him in the lurch--you know to whom I refer? He sees the plot; but he hasn’t the courage to give up his SUGAR-PLUM for a few days so as to baffle it.” Philippe briefly explained his uncle’s position. “Gentlemen,” he remarked, in conclusion, “you see there are no two ways of saving him: either Colonel Bridau must kill Captain Gilet, or Captain Gilet must kill Colonel Bridau. We celebrate the Emperor’s coronation on the day after to-morrow; I rely upon you to arrange the seats at the banquet so that I shall sit opposite to Gilet. You will do me the honor, I hope, of being my seconds.” “We will appoint you to preside, and sit ourselves on either side of you. Max, as vice-president, will of course sit opposite,” said Mignonnet. “Oh! the scoundrel will have Potel and Renard with him,” said Carpentier. “In spite of all that Issoudun now knows and says of his midnight maraudings, those two worthy officers, who have already been his seconds, remain faithful to him.” “You see how it all maps out, uncle,” said Philippe. “Therefore, sign no paper before the third of December; the next day you shall be free, happy, and beloved by Flore, without having to coax for it.” “You don’t know him, Philippe,” said the terrified old man. “Maxence has killed nine men in duels.” “Yes; but ninety thousand francs a year didn’t depend on it,” answered Philippe. “A bad conscience shakes the hand,” remarked Mignonnet sententiously. “In a few days from now,” resumed Philippe, “you and the Rabouilleuse will be living together as sweet as honey,--that is, after she gets through mourning. At first she’ll twist like a worm, and yelp, and weep; but never mind, let the water run!” The two soldiers approved of Philippe’s arguments, and tried to hearten up old Rouget, with whom they walked about for nearly two hours. At last Philippe took his uncle home, saying as they parted:-- “Don’t take any steps without me. I know women. I have paid for one, who cost me far more than Flore can ever cost you. But she taught me how to behave to the fair sex for the rest of my days. Women are bad children; they are inferior animals to men; we must make them fear us; the worst condition in the world is to be governed by such brutes.” It was about half-past two in the afternoon when the old man got home. Kouski opened the door in tears,--that is, by Max’s orders, he gave signs of weeping. “Oh! Monsieur, Madame has gone away, and taken Vedie with her!” “Gone--a--way!” said the old man in a strangled voice. The blow was so violent that Rouget sat down on the stairs, unable to stand. A moment after, he rose, looked about the hall, into the kitchen, went up to his own room, searched all the chambers, and returned to the salon, where he threw himself into a chair, and burst into tears.