"What does madame desire?" said the porter.
"To see the Marquis de Villebelle."
"Monseigneur returned from England only this morning, and as yet receives nobody."
"It is absolutely necessary that I should speak to him."
"That is impossible."
"Go, at least, and tell him that the Signora Julia desires to see him immediately."
The porter sent a lackey with this message, who soon returned, and said to Julia, with an impertinent air,—
"Monseigneur cannot receive you, and begs you to leave the hotel."
Julia could not swallow this affront; she looked furiously at the valet and abruptly left. Arrived at home she went to her desk and wrote the following note to the marquis,—
You refuse to see me; it depends, however, upon me to render you the most happy or most unhappy of men. I know that you are Blanche's abductor. Respect that young girl. Hasten to listen to me; I still wish to forgive you, but at some moments I listen to nothing but my fury.