for Paris, their journey having been
postponed only in consequence of the research for the missing
gentleman, from the morning when it should have taken place, to the
afternoon of the same day.

For two days longer did Raoul tarry at St. Renan, apparently as free
from concern or care about the fair Melanie de Ploermel, as if he had
never heard her name. And on this point alone, for all men knew that
he once loved her, did his conduct excite any observation, or call
forth comment. His silence, however, and external nonchalance were
attributed at all hands to a proper sense of pride and self-respect;
and as the territorial vassals of those days held themselves in some
degree ennobled or disgraced by the high bearing or recreancy of their
lords, it was very soon determined by the men of St. Renan that it
would have been very disgraceful and humiliating had their lord, the
Lord of Douarnez and St. Renan, condescended to trouble his head about
the little demoiselle d'Argenson.

Meanwhile our lover, whose head was in truth occupied about no other
thing than that very same little demoiselle, for whom he was believed
to feel a contempt so supreme, had thoroughly investigated all his
affairs, thereby acquiring from his old steward the character of an
admirable man of business, had made himself perfectly master of the
real value of his estates, droits, dues and all connected with the
same, and had packed up all his papers, and such of his valuables as
were movable, so as to be transported easily by means of pack-horses.

This done, leaving orders for a retinue of some twenty of his best and
most trusty servants to follow him as soon as the train and relays of
horses could be prepared, he set off with two followers only to
return, riding post, as he had come, from Paris.

He was three days behind the lady of his love at starting; but the
journey from the western extremity of Bretagne to the metropolis is at
all times a long and tedious undertaking; and as the roads and means
of conveyance were in those days, he found it no difficult task to
catch up with the carriages of the marquis, and to pass them on the
road long enough before they reached Paris.

Indeed, though he had set out three days behind them, he succeeded in
anticipating their arrival by as many, and had succeeded in
transacting more than half the business on which his heart was bent,
before he received the promised visit from the pretty Rose Faverney,
who, promp