"Yes, monseigneur, it is she."
"What was her father's name?"
"Moranval, at least, so I believe. Nothing was found upon him but an insignificant letter, which gave no information in regard to his family."
"And his daughter is beautiful?"
"As far as I am competent to judge, monseigneur, and if you should see her—"
"Yes, I shall see her."
"Monseigneur, I have the honor to inform you that Touquet has expressly forbidden me to speak of young Blanche and of her coming marriage. In order to be agreeable to your lordship I have sacrificed myself; but the barber is wicked, very wicked. I beg of you, monseigneur, not to tell him that you learned all this from me."
"Be easy about that."
"In any case I beg to be allowed to claim the protection of monseigneur in regard to my duel with the Prince of Cochin-China, which is not a falsehood as monseigneur appears to believe."
The marquis was reflecting deeply; finally he rose, saying to Chaudoreille,—