The Marquis de Croisenois was never punctual. He had received a note asking him to call on Mascarin at eleven o'clock, and twelve had struck some time before he made his appearance. Faultlessly gloved, his glass firmly fixed in his eye, and a light walking cane in his hand, and with that air of half-veiled insolence that is sometimes affected by certain persons who wish the world to believe that they are of great importance, the Marquis de Croisenois entered the room.
At the age of twenty-five Henry de Croisenois affected the airs and manners of a lad of twenty, and so found many who looked upon his escapades with lenient eyes, ascribing them to the follies of youth.
Under this youthful mask, however he concealed a most astute and cunning intellect, and had more than once got the better of the women with whom he had had dealings. His fortune was terribly involved, because he had insisted on living at the same rate as men who had ten times his income. Forming one of the recklessly extravagant band of which the Duke de Saumeine was the head, Croisenois, too, kept his racehorses, which was certainly the quickest way to wreck the most princely fortune. The Marquis had found out this, and was utterly involved, when Mascarin extended a helping hand to him, to which he clung with all the energy of a drowning man.
Whatever Henry de Croisenois' anxieties may have been on the day in question, he did not allow a symptom of them to appear, and on his entrance negligently drawled, "I have kept you waiting, I fear; but really my time is not my own. I am quite at your service now, and will wait until these gentlemen have finished their business with you." And as he concluded, he again placed the cigar which he had removed while saying these words, to his lips.
His manner was very insolent, and yet the amiable Mascarin did not seem offended, although he loathed the scent of tobacco.
"We had begun to despair of seeing you, Marquis," answered he politely. "I say so, because these gentlemen are here to meet you.
Permit me to introduce to you, Dr. Hortebise, M. Catenac of the Parisian bar, and our secretary," pointing as he spoke, to Paul.
As soon as Croisenois had taken his seat, Mascarin went straight to the point, as a bullet to the target. "I do not intend," began he, "to leave you in doubt for a moment. Beatings about the bush would be absurd among persons like ourselves."At finding himself thus classed with the other persons present, the Marquis gave a little start, and then drawled out, "You flatter me, really.""I may tell you, Marquis," resumed Mascarin, "that your marriage has been definitely arranged by myself and my associates. All you have to do is to get the young lady's consent; for that of the Count and Countess has already been secured.""There will be no difficulty in that," lisped the Marquis. "I will promise her the best horsed carriage in the Bois, a box at the opera, unlimited credit at Van Klopen's, and perfect freedom. There will be no difficulty, I assure you. Of course, however, I must be presented by some one who holds a good position in society.""Would the Viscountess de Bois Arden suit you?""No one better; she is a relation of the Count de Mussidan.""Good; then when you wish, Madame de Bois Arden will introduce you as a suitor for the young lady's hand, and praise you up to the skies."The Marquis looked very jubilant at hearing this. "All right," cried he; "then that decides the matter."Paul wondered whether he was awake or dreaming. He too had been promised a rich wife, and here was another man who was being provided for in the same manner. "These people," muttered he, "seem to keep a matrimonial agency as well as a servants' registry office!""All that is left, then," said the Marquis, "is to arrange the--shall I call it the commission?""I was about to come to that," returned Mascarin.
"Well, I will give you a fourth of the dowry, and on the day of my marriage will hand you a cheque for that amount."Paul now imagined that he saw how matters worked. "If I marry Flavia,"thought he, "I shall have to share her dowry with these highly respectable gentlemen."The offer made by the Marquis did not, however, seem to please Mascarin. "That is not what we want," said he.
"No,--well, must I give you more? Say how much."Mascarin shook his head.
"Well then, I will give you a third; it is not worth while to give you more.""No, no; I would not take half, nor even the whole of the dowry. You may keep that as well as what you owe us.""Well, but tell me what you /do/ want."
"I will do so," answered Mascarin, adjusting his spectacles carefully;"but before doing so, I feel that I must give you a short account of the rise and progress of this association."At this statement Hortebise and Catenac sprang to their feet in surprise and terror. "Are you mad?" said they at length, with one voice.
Mascarin shrugged his shoulders.
"Not yet," answered he gently, "and I beg that you will permit me to go on.""But surely we have some voice in the matter," faltered Catenac.
"That is enough," exclaimed Mascarin angrily, "Am not I the head of this association? Do you think," he continued in tones of deep sarcasm, "that we cannot speak openly before the Marquis?"Hortebise and the lawyer resignedly resumed their seats. Croisenois thought that a word from him might reassure them.
"Among honest men--" began he.
"We are not honest men," interrupted Mascarin. "Sir," added he in a severe tone, "nor are you either."This plain speaking brought a bright flush to the face of the Marquis, who had half a mind to be angry, but policy restrained him, and he affected to look on the matter as a joke. "Your joke is a little personal," said he.
But Mascarin took no heed of his remark. "Listen to me," said he, "for we have no time to waste, and do you," he added, turning to Paul, "pay the greatest attention."A moment of perfect silence ensued, broken only by the hum of voices in the outer office.
