Oh! such a surprise! They could
have no idea what it was! This fete was to take place on the
second day after Mademoiselle Marguerite's arrest; and on the
appointed evening, between nine and ten o'clock, M. de Valorsay
and his friend Coralth sat together in the former's smoking-room
waiting for Wilkie to call for them, as had been agreed upon.
They were both in the best of spirits. The viscount's
apprehensions had been entirely dispelled; and the marquis had
quite forgotten the twinges of pain in his injured limb.
"Marguerite will only leave prison to marry me," said M. de
Valorsay, triumphantly; and he added: "What a willing tool this
Wilkie is! A single word sufficed to make him give all his
servants leave of absence. The Hotel de Chalusse will be
deserted, and Madame Leon and Vantrasson can operate at their
leisure."
It was ten o'clock when M. Wilkie made his appearance. "Come, my
good friends!" said he, "my carriage is below."
They started off at once, and five minutes later they were ushered
into the presence of Baron Trigault, who received M. Wilkie as if
he had never seen him before. There was quite a crowd already.
At least three or four hundred people had assembled in the Baron's
reception-rooms, and among them were several former habitues of
Madame d'Argeles's house; one could also espy M. de Fondege
ferociously twirling his mustaches as usual, together with Kami-
Bey, who was conspicuous by reason of his portly form and eternal
red fez.
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