"
It must be so, thought all; the mystification ceased, and men were
settling back into their seats. But now, having reached his place,
having heard the voice that explained the matter to the universal
satisfaction, Andre-Louis paused before taking his seat. He felt
it incumbent upon him to reveal the true fact.
"M. le President, my excuses for my late arrival." There was no
necessity for this. It was a mere piece of theatricality, such as
it was not in Scaramouche's nature to forgo. "I have been detained
by an engagement of a pressing nature. I bring you also the excuses
of M. de Chabrillane. He, unfortunately, will be permanently absent
from this Assembly in future."
The silence was complete. Andre-Louis sat down.
CHAPTER VIII
THE PALADIN OF THE THIRD
M. Le Chevalier de Chabrillane had been closely connected, you will
remember, with the iniquitous affair in which Philippe de Vilmorin
had lost his life. We know enough to justify a surmise that he had
not merely been La Tour d'Azyr's second in the encounter, but
actually an instigator of the business.
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