The Marquis de Croisenois was never punctual. He had received a note asking
him to call on Mascarin at eleven o'clock, and twelve had struck some time
before he made his appearance. Faultlessly gloved, his glass firmly fixed in his
eye, and a light walking cane in his hand, and with that air of half-veiled
insolence that is sometimes affected by certain persons who wish the world to
believe that they are of great importance, the Marquis de Croisenois entered the
room.
At the age of twenty-five Henry de Croisenois affected the airs and manners of a
lad of twenty, and so found many who looked upon his escapades with lenient
eyes, ascribing them to the follies of youth. Under this youthful mask, however he
concealed a most astute and cunning intellect, and had more than once got the
better of the women with whom he had had dealings. His fortune was terribly
involved, because he had insisted on living at the same rate as men who had ten
times his income. Forming one of the recklessly extravagant band of which the
Duke de Saumeine was the head, Croisenois, too, kept his racehorses, which
was certainly the quickest way to wreck the most princely fortune. The Marquis
had found out this, and was utterly involved, when Mascarin extended a helping
hand to him, to which he clung with all the energy of a drowning man.
Whatever Henry de Croisenois' anxieties may have been on the day in question,
he did not allow a symptom of them to appear, and on his entrance negligently
drawled, "I have kept you waiting, I fear; but really my time is not my own. I am
quite at your service now, and will wait until these gentlemen have finished their
business with you." And as he concluded, he again placed the cigar which he
had removed while saying these words, to his lips.
His manner was very insolent, and yet the amiable Mascarin did not seem
offended, although he loathed the scent of tobacco.
"We had begun to despair of seeing you, Marquis," answered he politely. "I say
so, because these gentlemen are here to meet you. Permit me to introduce to
you, Dr. Hortebise, M. Catenac of the Parisian bar, and our secretary," pointing
as he spoke, to Paul.
As soon as Croisenois had taken his seat, Mascarin went straight to the point, as
a bullet to the target. "I do not intend," began he, "to leave you in doubt for a
moment. Beatings about the bush would be absurd among persons like
ourselves."
At finding himself thus classed with the other persons present, the Marquis gave
a little start, and then drawled out, "You flatter me, really."
"I may tell you, Marquis," resumed Mascarin, "that your marriage has been
definitely arranged by myself and my associates. All you have to do is to get the
young lady's consent; for that of the Count and Countess has already been
secured."
"There will be no difficulty in that," lisped the Marquis. "I will promise her the best
horsed carriage in the Bois, a box at the opera, unlimited credit at Van Klopen's,
