He heard my plans and laughed at them.
"Very honourable and fine, but out of date," he said.

"You will not catch him, but you will, no doubt, enjoy the chase immensely, and in the mean time you will leave a clear field for Alphonse Giraud _aupres de_ Mademoiselle." I instituted inquiries the same evening, and determined to await the result before setting off to seek Miste in person.

Nor will I deny that this decision was brought about, in part, by the reflection that Madame de Clericy and Lucille might arrive the following morning.
At the Lyons station the next morning I had the satisfaction of seeing the two ladies step from the Marseilles express.

Lucille would scarcely look at me.

During the drive to the Rue des Palmiers I acquainted Madame with the state of affairs, and she listened to my recital with a grave attention and a quiet occasional glance into my face which would have made it difficult to tell aught but the truth.
When we reached home Alphonse Giraud had gone out; the Vicomte was still in his room.