The first person I spoke to told me, "He is the son of a wealthy man, but a great libertine and up to his neck in debts." Nice references, indeed! For a week I went to all the theatres and public places in the hope of making the acquaintance of the count, but I could not succeed, and I was beginning to forget the adventure when one morning, towards eight o'clock Vesian calling on me, told me that his sister was in her room and wished to speak to me.

I followed him immediately.

I found her looking unhappy and with eyes red from crying.
She told her brother to go out for a walk, and when he had gone she spoke to me thus: "M.

de Narbonne, whom I thought an honest man, because I wanted him to be such, came to sit by me where you had left me at the theatre; he told me that my face had interested him, and he asked me who I was.

I told him what I had told you.