"What is the matter, monsieur?" inquired Herminie, seeing that the hunchback had suddenly become thoughtful.
"I just observed an apparently insignificant thing, my dear child, but it makes me a trifle uneasy. I saw a man in a locksmith's shop just now, showing the locksmith a key. I should not even have noticed the fact, though, if I did not know that the man who had the key was a scoundrel, capable of anything, and under certain circumstances the slightest act of a man like that furnishes food for reflection."
"Is the man you refer to unusually tall, and has he a bad, hard face?"
"So you, too, noticed him?"
"I have had only too much cause to do so, monsieur."
"Explain, my dear child."
So Herminie briefly related Ravil's many futile attempts to obtain access to her since the evening he so grossly insulted her while on her way to Madame de Beaumesnil's.
"If the scoundrel is in the habit of hanging around your house, my dear child, it is not so surprising that we should have seen him in a shop in this part of the town. Still, what can have taken him to this locksmith's?" asked the hunchback, thoughtfully. "Since he became so intimate with that rascal, Macreuse, I have been keeping a close watch on both of them. One of my men is shadowing them, for such creatures as they are are never more dangerous than when they are playing dead,--not that I fear them myself; oh, no, but I do fear for Ernestine."
"For Ernestine?" asked the duchess, with quite as much surprise as uneasiness. "What can she have to fear from creatures like these?"
"You do not know, my dear child, that this Ravil was the most zealous aider and abettor of one of the suitors for Ernestine's hand. Macreuse, too, made equally nefarious attempts to secure this tempting prey. As I unmasked them both in public, I fear that their resentment will fall upon Ernestine, especially as their rage, on finding that they will not be able to make the poor child their victim, is so venomous; but I am watching them closely, and this visit of Ravil to the locksmith--though I cannot imagine the motive of it now--will make me redouble my vigilance."
"But you can hardly imagine that this visit would affect Ernestine in any way."
"I am not at all sure that it does, my dear child, but I think it strange that De Ravil should take the trouble to seek out a locksmith in this remote part of the town. But let us say no more about it. Such scoundrels as those two men are should not be allowed to mar pure and richly deserved happiness. My task is only half completed. Your happiness is assured, my child, and now I trust this may prove an equally fortunate day for Ernestine. Here we are at last. Find her and tell her of your happiness while I go up to the baron's apartments. I have a few words to say to him, after which I will rejoin you in Ernestine's rooms."
"Did I not hear you say something in regard to a final test?"
"Yes, my dear child."
"Does it relate to M. Olivier?"
"Yes, and if he sustains the ordeal bravely and nobly, as I am sure he will, Ernestine will have no cause to envy you your felicity."
"And did Ernestine consent to this test, monsieur?"
"Yes, my child, for it would not only serve to establish the nobility of Olivier's sentiments beyond a doubt, but also remove any scruples he might feel about marrying Ernestine when he discovers that the little embroideress is the richest heiress in France."
"Alas! monsieur, it is on that point I feel the greatest misgivings. M.
Olivier is so extremely sensitive in regard to all money matters, Gerald says."
"And for that very reason I gave my poor brain no rest until I had found, or at least fancied I had found, a means of escape from this danger. I can not explain any further now, but you will soon know all."
Meanwhile the carriage had paused in front of the Rochaigue mansion. The footman opened the door, and while Herminie hastened to Mlle. de Beaumesnil's apartments the hunchback went up to the baron's study, where he found that gentleman evidently expecting him, for he promptly advanced to meet him, displaying his long teeth with the most satisfied air imaginable.
The fact is, M. de la Rochaigue, after reflecting on the marquis's offers,--and threats,--had decided to accept a proposal that would enable him to gratify his political ambition at last, and had consequently given his consent to this marriage under certain conditions that seemed incomprehensible to him,--M. de Maillefort not having deemed it advisable to inform the baron of the double character Mlle. de Beaumesnil had been playing.
"Well, my dear baron, has everything been satisfactorily arranged?"
inquired the hunchback.
"Yes, my dear marquis. The interview is to take place here in my study, and, as this room is separated from the adjoining room only by a portiere, everything that is said can be distinctly heard in there."
The marquis examined the two rooms for himself and then returned to M.
de la Rochaigue.
"This arrangement will suit perfectly, my dear baron. But tell me, did the inquiries you made in relation to M. Olivier Raymond prove entirely satisfactory?"
"I called on his old colonel in the African army this morning, and M. de Berville spoke of him in the highest possible terms."
"I was sure that he would, my dear baron, but I wished you to satisfy yourself, and from several different sources, of my protege's irreproachable character."
"He possesses neither wealth nor rank, unfortunately," responded the baron, with a sigh, "but there doesn't seem to be the slightest doubt that he is an exceedingly honest and worthy young man."
"And what you have heard about him is nothing in comparison with what you will soon discover for yourself."
"What! is there still another mystery in store for me, my dear marquis?"
"Have a little patience, and an hour from now you will know all. By the way, I hope you haven't said a word to your wife or sister in regard to our plans?"
"How can you ask me such a question, my dear marquis? Am I not longing to have my revenge upon Helena and the baroness? Think of their deceiving me as they did! Each of them plotting to bring about a marriage between my ward and one of their proteges, and making me play the most ridiculous role. Ah, it will at least be some consolation to outwit them in my turn."
"No weakness, though, baron. Your wife openly boasts that she can make you do exactly as she pleases,--that she leads you around by the nose, in short,--excuse the expression."
"Well, well, we shall see! So she leads me around by the nose, does she?"
"I think we shall have to admit that she has, in days gone by."
"I admit nothing of the kind."
"But now you are a statesman, any such weakness would be unpardonable, for you no longer belong to yourself, and, apropos of this, did you see our delegates again?"
"We had another conference last evening. I talked to them two hours on the subject of an alliance with England."
The baron rose, and slipping his left hand in the bosom of his coat, and assuming his usual oratorical attitude, continued:
"I subsequently gave them my views upon the importation of horned cattle, and briefly expounded the principles of religious liberty as practised in Belgium; and I must admit that your electors seemed much pleased, to say the least."
"I don't doubt it. You must suit them wonderfully well. I am doing them a signal service, for they will find in you--all that is lacking in me."
"You are entirely too modest, my dear marquis."
"Quite the contrary, my dear baron; so as soon as Olivier's and Ernestine's marriage contract is signed, I shall resign my candidacy in your favour."
A servant, entering at this moment, announced that M. Olivier Raymond wished to see M. de la Rochaigue.
"Ask M. Raymond to wait a moment," replied the baron, and the servant left the room.
"Now, baron, remember that this is a very important, as well as delicate, matter," said the marquis. "Do not forget any of my instructions, and, above all, do not evince any surprise at M. Raymond's answers, no matter how extraordinary they may appear. I will explain everything after your interview with him is over."
"It will be comparatively easy for me to show no surprise at anything I see or hear, marquis, inasmuch as I am very much in the dark with regard to the whole affair myself."