That meeting with Mme. de Plougastel had enheartened him; her
promise to plead his case in alliance with Aline gave him assurance
that all would be well.
That he was justified of this was proved when on the following
Thursday towards noon his academy was invaded by M. de Kercadiou.
Gilles, the boy, brought him word of it, and breaking off at once
the lesson upon which he was engaged, he pulled off his mask, and
went as he was - in a chamois waistcoat buttoned to the chin and
with his foil under his arm to the modest salon below, where his
godfather awaited him.
The florid little Lord of Gavrillac stood almost defiantly to
receive him.
"I have been over-persuaded to forgive you," he announced
aggressively, seeming thereby to imply that he consented to this
merely so as to put an end to tiresome importunities.
Andre-Louis was not misled. He detected a pretence adopted by the
Seigneur so as to enable him to retreat in good order.
"My blessings on the persuaders, whoever they may have been. You
restore me my happiness, monsieur my godfather.
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