Hans bit his lips, but made no reply; whilst Agostini turned gracefully round to Lichtenbach, and said—
“And my marriage? What is to become of it?”
“What has become of this affair of ours,” replied Elias, roughly, “nothing. The one fell with the other! My fine fellow, you have no longer a prospective dot. I took you with the Trémont powder, and the only powder now left is blinding dust!”
“Ah! You treat me in this way. I may give you reason to repent it!”
“And if I wished, you would not be allowed in France another twenty-four hours. Let us be going,” added Lichtenbach; “it is already late.”
“We will accompany you to the toll-gate, for fear something may happen to you. This quarter is not very safe at nights. Good night, Sophia.”
“Good night.”
She held out her white hand, which her dreaded ally touched with that iron hand of his, covered with a glove.
“May I not stay a few minutes, Sophia?” asked Agostini.
“No,” said the Baroness, emphatically. “Good night!”