Monte-Leone and Taddeo were talking together, and this fragment of their conversation struck the ear of the old Prince, who seemed entirely absorbed by a game of whist.
"Will not the Marquis be here to-night?" said the Count to Taddeo.
"I doubt it: sometimes the master of the hotel is here less frequently than any one else."
"Perhaps he is now," said the Count, "where he goes almost every night, they say."
"You jest," said Taddeo; "I think he is here every night."
"He should, but he is not. All I can say is, that on the night of M.L.'s ball, he was ... where I saw him."
"Where was he?" asked Taddeo, impatiently.
"I will tell you--but come away from the whist-table."
"But you do not return my lead," said the Prince's partner, "you should play hearts."
"True," said the Prince, musing; and he led hearts. His eyes, though, followed Taddeo and Monte-Leone.
The Prince lost five points, much to his partner's discontent. He played very badly that night, breaking up his suits, mistaking the cards, and violating every rule, much to the surprise of the lookers-on, who knew how well he played the game, which the emigrés had imported from England. At last they stopped, and the Prince sought for Monte-Leone through all the rooms. The Count and Taddeo, however, had both left. The Marquis, though, had returned, and the company soon dispersed. The Prince went to his room, but soon left, well wrapped up, and with his hat over his face. "Pardieu!" said he, "I will settle things, and find out where my son passes the nights. Can any place be more pleasant than the bedchamber of a pretty woman?" Standing at a little distance from door, he waited about half an hour. His patience was nearly exhausted, when the Marquis came out. Henri went to the Rue de Bac, took the quai, crossed the pont Royale, the Carousel, and entered la Rue de Richelieu. The poor Prince panted after him, and kept him in sight all the time, cursing his curiosity. Sustained by a deep interest for his daughter's happiness, he kept on.
When the Marquis came to the Rue de Menors, he paused, and turned to see that no one followed him. The Prince had barely time to get behind a coach which stood at the corner. The Marquis went some distance down the Rue de Menors, and stopped at No. 7. The door was opened, and Henri entered. "On my honor," said the Prince, "I would not have come so far before bed, unless I could also have found out _why_ the Marquis visits No. 7." The Prince then stopped at the door, and knocked. The door was opened.