“You have an account to settle with me?” asked Daddy Tantaine with a puzzled smile.
“Yes; was it not through you that I was accused of theft by that old hag, Madame Loupins?”
Tantaine shrugged his shoulders.
“Dear me,” said he; “I thought that M. Mascarin had explained everything, and that you were anxious to marry Mademoiselle Flavia, and that, above all, you were a young man of intelligence and tact.”
Hortebise roared with laughter, and Paul, seeing his folly, blushed deeply and remained silent.
“I regret having disturbed you, doctor,” resumed Tantaine, “but I had strict orders to see you.”
“Is there anything new then?”
“Yes; Mademoiselle de Mussidan is out of danger, and M. de Croisenois can commence proceedings at once.”
The doctor drank off a glass of wine. “To the speedy marriage of our dear friend the Marquis and Mademoiselle Sabine,” said he gayly.
“So be it,” said Tantaine; “I am also directed to beg M. Paul not to leave this house, but to send for his luggage and remain here.”