de Coralth did not trouble
himself much about the baroness now. Had he not got in his pocket
M. Wilkie's signature insuring him upward of half a million?
Standing near one of the windows in the main reception-room,
between the Marquis de Valorsay and M. Wilkie, the brilliant
viscount was gayly chatting with them, when a footman, in a voice
loud enough to interrupt all conversation, suddenly announced: "M.
Maumejan!"
It seemed such a perfectly natural thing to M. de Valorsay that
Maumejan, as one of the baron's business agents, should be
received at his house, that he was not in the least disturbed.
But M. de Coralth, having heard the name, wished to see the man
who had aided and advised the marquius so effectually. He
abruptly turned, and as he did so the words he would have spoken
died upon his lips. He became livid, his eyes seemed to start
from their sockets, and it was with difficulty that he ejaculated:
"He!"
"Who?" inquired the astonished marquis.
"Look!"
M. de Valorsay did so, and to his utter amazement he perceived a
numerous party in the rear of the man announced under the name of
Maumejan. First came Mademoiselle Marguerite, leaning on the arm
of the white-haired magistrate, and then Madame Ferailleur; next
M. Isidore Fortunat, and finally Chupin--Victor Chupin,
resplendent in a handsome, bran-new, black dress-suit.
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