Fanfar looked around. Escape was impossible. He turned to Irène. "Save my sister!" he said to her.
She bowed assent. Then Fanfar spoke to the Magistrate. "This unfounded accusation will recoil on the heads of my calumniators. I have been against the monarchy, but I have had no hand in any plot with murder as its object. I am at your service, gentlemen!"
Arthur whispered in the ear of de Talizac:
"To-morrow, if you are not a coward, I shall expect you!"
"And I will kill you!" answered the Vicomte.
In another hour the guests had left the Hôtel de Fongereues.