Volume Ii Part 6 (1/2)
”Is he still performing his doughty deeds, the villain?”
”I should say so! He is more audacious than ever, so it seems. Not four days ago, the Vicomte de Monferrant, on his way home from a party where there had been some high play, was attacked on Rue Saint-Paul and robbed by that bedevilled Italian!”
”Did Monferrant defend himself?”
”He says so, but I don't believe it; he is too much of a coward for that.”
”In that case, how did he happen to be going home alone?”
”He was not alone--his servant was in front with a lantern; but at his master's first outcry, the rascal, instead of running to his a.s.sistance, fled, it seems, without so much as looking back.”
”And a few days earlier, the old Baronne de Graveline was going home one evening in a _brouette_; Giovanni drove away the man who wheeled the _brouette_, then relieved the baroness of her money, diamonds, and jewels; she had some very fine ones on that night.”
”It is worthy of remark that this infernal villain has extraordinary luck; he always stumbles on a rich victim!”
”Do you call that luck, Montrevert? For my part, I am persuaded that Giovanni attacks only where he is sure of his ground. I mean by that that he must have confederates, who probably inform him as to the profitable strokes that may be made on a certain evening.”
”In that case, Giovanni's confederates must be received in the best society, and even at court, to be so thoroughly posted concerning what is going on, and to know what road such and such a person is likely to take to return home.”
”Ha! ha! that is not an unlikely supposition, on my word! There is no safety anywhere, messieurs!--I say, Comte de Marvejols, are you quite certain that you have had no thieves at your party to-night?--Leodgard!--Where in the devil is he?”
Leodgard had left the card room and had gone to the table where the indomitable drinkers were still at work; he had swallowed several gla.s.ses of maraschino, then had gone out into the courtyard, only to return in a moment to the dining hall.
”Have you the fidgets in your legs to-night, comte?” murmured young Monclair; ”you do not seem to stay a second in one place.”
”You are mistaken; I stayed a very long time at the lansquenet table,”
rejoined Leodgard, curtly.
”I' faith! my dear fellow, it is a delightful affair,” said Senange; ”it is impossible to do things more handsomely or to entertain one's guests with more magnificence.”
”I am very glad if you have had an enjoyable evening,” said Leodgard; and his brow lost a few of its wrinkles.
”Vive Dieu! we should be most exacting if we did not think this supper perfectly exquisite; you did well to hire this little house, on my word!
it seems to have been built expressly for parties of this sort.”
”But you have never shown us the whole of your house. If I am not mistaken, there is another wing at the rear of the courtyard; does no one go there?”
”That is where I live,” replied Leodgard, becoming serious once more; ”but it is not arranged for the reception of company.”
”Moreover, it is the mysterious wing!” cried Camilla, laughingly. ”If I wish to be allowed to go there, I must notify monsieur le comte a long while beforehand.”
”Hush, Camilla! a truce to your foolery!” said Leodgard, with a stern glance at the courtesan.
”Upon my word, you are gallant to-night!--Don't expect me to take your part another time when people say that you no longer seem cheerful!”
”Who said that?”
”Never mind! I am going to enter the lists with Flavia to make the conquest of the Black Chevalier.”
Jarnonville had left the card table and had taken a seat in a less brilliantly lighted part of the room; but Mademoiselle Flavia, a young madcap with very eloquent eyes, bright and languorous in turn, soon seated herself beside him, and said: