Moreover, I recognised the face of an
old actor, who had been I knew in the troupe that Cornelia joined when
she fled from Paris, and I resolved to address myself first to him; so
as not to startle you by too abrupt a disclosure of my claims upon you.
But when I sent the next morning to the hotel in the Rue Dauphine, I
learned that Herode's troupe had just gone to give a representation at
a chateau in the environs of Paris, and would be absent three days. I
should have endeavoured to wait patiently for their return, had not
a brave fellow, who used to be in my service, and has my interest at
heart, come to inform me that the Duke of Vallombreuse, being madly in
love with a young actress named Isabelle, who resisted his suit with
the utmost firmness and determination, had arranged to gain forcible
possession of her in the course of the day's journey--the expedition
into the country being gotten up for that express purpose--that he had
a band of hired ruffians engaged to carry out his nefarious purpose and
bring his unhappy victim to this chateau--and that he had come to warn
me, fearing lest serious consequences should ensue to my son, as the
young actress would be accompanied by brave and faithful friends, who
were armed, and would defend her to the death.
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