But there is some one here who must
know." Angry exclamations and sneering laughs interrupted him. "Would
you condemn me unheard?" he resumed, raising his voice. "Listen to me.
About an hour ago, while you were at supper, Madame d'Argeles almost
threw herself at my feet as she entreated me to leave this house. Her
agitation astonished me. Now I understand it."

The gentleman known as the baron turned toward Madame d'Argeles: "Is
what this man says true?"

She was greatly agitated, but she answered: "Yes."

"Why were you so anxious for him to go?"

"I don't know--a presentiment--it seemed to me that something was going
to happen."

The least observant of the party could not fail to notice Madame
d'Argeles's hesitation and confusion; but even the shrewdest were
deceived. They supposed that she had seen the act committed, and had
tried to induce the culprit to make his escape, in order to avoid a
scandal.

Pascal saw he could expect no assistance from this source. "M. de
Coralth could assure you," he began.

"Oh, enough of that," interrupted a player. "I myself heard M. de
Coralth do his best to persuade you not to play."

So the unfortunate fellow's last and only hope had vanished. Still he
made a supreme effort, and addressing Madame d'Argeles: "Madame," he
said, in a voice trembling with anguish? "I entreat you, tell what you
know. Will you allow an honorable man to be ruined before your very
eyes? Will you abandon an innocent man whom you could save by a single
word?" But she remained silent; and Pascal staggered as if some one had
dealt him a terrible blow. "It is all over!" he muttered.

No one heard him; everybody was listening to the baron, who seemed to
be very much put out. "We are wasting precious time with all this," said
he. "We should have made at least five rounds while this absurd scene
has been going on. We must put an end to it. What are you going to do
with this fellow? I am in favor of sending for a commissary of police."

Such was not at all the opinion of the majority of the guests. Four
or five of the ladies took flight at the bare suggestion and several
men--the most aristocratic of the company--became angry at once. "Are
you mad?" said one of them. "Do you want to see us all summoned as
witnesses? You have probably forgotten that Garcia affair, and that
rumpus at Jenny Fancy's house. A fine thing it would be to see, no one
knows how many great names mixed up with those of sharpers and n