Alarmed at the varied emotions reflected on his son's face, old Richard thought it time to interfere.
"My dear Louis," he said, closely scrutinizing the young man's troubled face, "I believe we had better start for Dreux early tomorrow morning, thereby anticipating Ramon's visit to us by twenty-four hours."
"Father!" began Louis, in protestation.
"It will not compromise you, in the least, my son, and if you are resolved to deny me the dearest wish of my life, all I ask, as a last satisfaction, is to spend a few days with Ramon and his daughter. You shall then be free to act as you please." Then seeing Louis take up his hat, he asked anxiously: "Where are you going?"
"My head aches, and I am going out for a whiff of fresh air," replied the young man.
"In mercy don't go out, my boy!" cried the old man, with growing alarm. "You look gloomy and out of sorts since you read that letter. Really, you frighten me!"
"You are mistaken. The letter was absolutely insignificant, I assure you," returned Louis, closing the door behind him.
As he was rushing out, however, the concierge hailed him and invited him to enter the lodge.
"What is it?" asked Louis, struck by the man's mysterious air.
"Here is a card left for you by a decorated gentleman," explained the concierge. "He came in an elegant carriage, and said this was urgent."