But the next time that his walk brought him to his desk he stopped, and, adjusting his glasses, said, "I trust, Marquis, that you will forgive this long preliminary address, which would really make a good sensational novel; but we have now arrived at the really practical part of the business." As he said these words, he took up an imposing attitude, with his elbow resting on the mantelpiece.
"On the night of which I have spoken, I and my friends released ourselves from all the bonds of virtue and honor, and freed ourselves from all the fetters of duty to our fellow-men.

The plan emanated from my brain complete in all its details in the will I made twenty years ago to my friends.

Marquis, as the summer goes on, you know that the ripest and reddest cherries are the fullest flavored, just so, in the noblest and wealthiest of families in Paris there is not one that has not some terrible and ghostly secret which is sedulously concealed.

Now, suppose that one man should gain possession of all of them, would he not be sole and absolute master?
Would he not be more powerful than a despot on his throne?
Would he not be able to sway society in any manner he might think fit?
Well, I said to myself, I will be that man!" Ever since the Marquis had been in relation with Mascarin, he had shrewdly suspected that his business was not conducted on really fair principles.
"What you mention," said he, "is nothing but an elaborate and extended system of blackmail." Mascarin bowed low, with an ironical smile on his face.

"Just so, Marquis, just so; you have hit on the very name.