"He says that you know him without knowing his name."
"How very singular, can he be a messenger from Julia?" said Villebelle, looking at the barber.
"I don't think so, monsieur le marquis. The description which Germain has given of the stranger is not that of Chaudoreille."
"When they introduce this young man, Touquet, step into the next room; it is possible he wishes to speak to me alone."
The barber departed and Germain returned with Urbain, who, having travelled without stopping, had arrived at Sarcus, and was waiting impatiently at the porter's lodge for the answer which the marquis should send him.
"My master consents to see you. Follow me, monsieur, I will take you to him," said Germain to Urbain; the latter joyfully hastened to follow the valet, who introduced him to the marquis.
Urbain entered the room trembling; approaching with embarrassment the great nobleman, who was seated on a sofa, and who looked curiously at the young man, unable to resist a certain interest which Urbain's refined and distinguished face inspired.
"Deign to excuse, seigneur, the liberty which I take," said the young bachelor, bowing low to the marquis.
"Speak, monsieur, what do you want of me?"
"I come to implore your protection. You gave me permission to have recourse to it. We have already seen each other at Paris, some time ago; I was disguised, I met you at night in the Grand Pré-aux-Clercs, fought a duel—"