"He has the air of a prince," the mask went on, "and it is not the
actress he lived with who could give it to him. My cousin, who
understood him, could not lick him into shape. I should like to know
the mistress of this Sargine; tell me something about him that will
enable me to mystify him."

This couple, whispering as they watched the young man, became the
object of study to the square-shouldered domino.

"Dear Monsieur Chardon," said the Prefet of the Charente, taking the
dandy's hand, "allow me to introduce you to some one who wishes to
renew acquaintance with you----"

"Dear Comte Chatelet," replied the young man, "that lady taught me how
ridiculous was the name by which you address me. A patent from the
king has restored to me that of my mother's family--the Rubempres.
Although the fact has been announced in the papers, it relates to so
unimportant a person that I need not blush to recall it to my friends,
my enemies, and those who are neither----You may class yourself where
you will, but I am sure you will not disapprove of a step to which I
was advised by your wife when she was still only Madame de Bargeton."

This neat retort, which made the Marquise smile, gave the Prefet of la
Charente a nervous chill. "You may tell her," Lucien went on, "that I
now bear gules, a bull raging argent on a meadow vert."

"Raging argent," echoed Chatelet.

"Madame la Marquise will explain to you, if you do not know, why that
old coat is a little better than the chamberlain's key and Imperial