"What a singular being you are!--you will not interfere in anything."

"You are right--that is the principle on which I wish to act."

"We will say no more about it, then. Good-by, count." Morcerf took his
hat, and left the room. He found his carriage at the door, and doing his
utmost to restrain his anger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who
was in his office. It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such as
journalists' offices have always been from time immemorial. The servant
announced M. Albert de Morcerf. Beauchamp repeated the name to himself,
as though he could scarcely believe that he had heard aright, and then
gave orders for him to be admitted. Albert entered. Beauchamp uttered an
exclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over and trample under
foot all the newspapers which were strewed about the room. "This way,
this way, my dear Albert!" said he, holding out his hand to the young
man. "Are you out of your senses, or do you come peaceably to take
breakfast with me? Try and find a seat--there is one by that geranium,
which is the only thing in the room to remind me that there are other
leaves in the world besides leaves of paper."

"Beauchamp," said Albert, "it is of your journal that I come to speak."

"Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?"

"I desire that a statement contained in it should be rectified."

"To what do you refer? But pray sit down."

"Thank you," said Albert, with a cold and formal bow.

"Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of the statement
which has displeased you?"

"An announcement has been made which implicates the honor of a member of
my family."

"What is it?" said Beauchamp, much surprised; "surely you must be
mistaken."

"The story sent you from Yanina."

"Yanina?"

"Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the cause which brings
me here."

"Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor! Baptiste, give me
yesterday's paper," cried Beauchamp.

"Here, I have brought mine with me," replied Albert.

Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to which Albert pointed
in an undertone. "You see it is a serious annoyance," said Morcerf, when
Beauchamp had finished the perusal of the paragraph. "Is the officer
referred to a relation of yours, then?" demanded the journalist.

"Yes," said Albert, blushing.

"Well, what do you wish me to do for you?" said Beauchamp mildly.

"My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict th