red name of his ancestors. You would
have made her your wife then--now that she is rich, and of high rank,
she belongs to you of right. The true, faithful lover of Isabelle, the
actress, should be the honoured husband of the Comtesse de Lineuil."

"But you forget," cried de Sigognac, in much agitation, "that she
always absolutely refused me, though she knew that I was perfectly
disinterested."

"It was because of her supreme delicacy, her angelic susceptibility, and
her noble spirit of self-sacrifice that she said that. She feared that
she would necessarily be a disadvantage to you--an obstacle in the way
of your advancement. But the situation is entirely changed now."

"Yes, now it is I who would be a disadvantage to her; have I then a
right to be less generous and magnanimous than she was?"

"Do you still love my sister?" said Vallombreuse, in a grave tone. "As
her brother, I have the right to ask this question."

"I love her with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength,"
de Sigognac replied fervently, "as much and more than ever man loved
woman on this earth--where nothing is perfect--save Isabelle."

"Such being the case, my dear Captain of Mousquetaires, and governor of
a province--soon to be--have your horse saddled, and come with me to
the Chateau of Vallombreuse, so that I may formally present you to the
prince, my father, as the favoured suitor of the Comtesse de Lineuil, my
sister. Isabelle has refused even to think of the Chevalier de Vidalinc,
or the Marquis de l'Estang, as aspirants to her hand--both right
handsome, attractive, eligible young fellows, by Jove!--but I am of
opinion that she will accept, without very much persuasion, the Baron de
Sigognac."

The next day the duke and the baron were riding gaily forward, side by
side, on the road to Paris.

CHAPTER XX. CHIQUITA'S DECLARATION OF LOVE

A compact crowd filled the Place de Greve, despite the early hour
indicated by the clock of the Hotel de Ville.

The tall buildings on the eastern side of the square threw their
shadows more than half-way across it, and upon a sinister-looking wooden
framework, which rose several feet above the heads of the populace, and
bore a number of ominous, dull red stains. At the windows of the houses
surrounding the crowded square, a few heads were to be seen looking out
from time to time, but quickly drawn back again as they perceived that
the interesting performance, for which all were waiting