“Of course, you know you can do so. But what can be the matter? Your note of this morning has completely bewildered me. This precipitation⁠—this unusual appointment. Come, ease me of my anxiety, or else frighten me at once.”

“Lucien, a great event has happened!” said the lady, glancing inquiringly at Lucien⁠—“ M. Danglars left last night!”

“Left?⁠— M. Danglars left? Where has he gone?”

“I do not know.”

“What do you mean? Has he gone intending not to return?”

“Undoubtedly;⁠—at ten o’clock at night his horses took him to the barrier of Charenton; there a post-chaise was waiting for him⁠—he entered it with his valet de chambre, saying that he was going to Fontainebleau.”