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"But, however that may be," resumed the nephew, glancing at him

with deep distrust, "I know that your diplomacy would stop me by

any means, and would know no scruple as to means."

"My friend, I told you so," said the uncle, with a fine pulsation

in the two marks. "Do me the favour to recall that I told you so,

long ago."

"I recall it."

"Thank you," said the Marquis--very sweetly indeed.

His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical

instrument.

"In effect, sir," pursued the nephew, "I believe it to be at once

your bad fortune, and my good fortune, that has kept me out of a

prison in France here."

"I do not quite understand," returned the uncle, sipping his

coffee. "Dare I ask you to explain?"

"I believe that if you were not in disgrace with the Court, and

had not been overshadowed by that cloud for years past, a letter

de cachet would have sent me to some fortress indefinitely."