"I should be in no danger," mused he to himself, "if I yield myself up to the impetuous stream which is already carrying me along, for Mascarin is practised swimmer enough to keep both my head and his own above water." Little did Paul think that every fleeting expression in his countenance was caught up and treasured by the wily Mascarin; and it was intentionally that he had permitted Paul to listen to this compromising conversation.

He had decided that very morning, that if Paul was to be a useful tool, he must be at once set face to face with the grim realities of the position.
"Now," said he, "for the really serious reason for my visit.

How do we stand now with regard to the Viscountess Bois Arden ?" Van Klopen gave his shoulders a shrug as he answered, "She is all right.
I have just sent her several most expensive costumes." "How much does she owe you ?" "Say twenty-five thousand francs.

She has owed us more than that before." "Really ?" remarked Mascarin, "that woman has been grossly libelled; she is vain, frivolous, and fond of admiration, but nothing more.

For a whole fortnight I have been prying into her life, but I can't hit upon anything in it to give us a pull over her.