The landlord affected astonishment, and swore by all he held
sacred that he did not know who had put the casket there, nor whose it
was; though it must be confessed that he had his suspicions, and felt
very sure that they were correct. In truth, the obnoxious jewel-case had
been secretly placed upon Isabelle's table by old Mme. Leonarde, to whom
the Duke of Vallombreuse had had recourse, in the hope that she might be
able to aid him, and in the full belief, shared by her, that the superb
diamonds which the beautiful casket contained would accomplish all that
he desired with Isabelle. But his offering only served to rouse her
indignation, and she spoke very severely to Maitre Bilot, commanding him
to remove it instantly from her sight, and to be careful not to mention
this fresh affront to Captain Fracasse. The worthy landlord could
not help feeling enthusiastic admiration for the conduct of the young
actress, who rejected jewels that would have made a duchess envious, and
as he retired bowed to her as respectfully and profoundly as he would
have done to a queen. After he had withdrawn and she was left alone,
Isabelle, feeling agitated and feverish, opened her window for a breath
of fresh air, and to cool her burning cheeks and brow.
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