The Comte made his excuses to his betrothed, and followed his friend.
When they were in the street, Paul exclaimed: "My dear fellow, this wretched Italian must, at any cost, be prevented from inveigling this girl, who is defenseless against him."
"To warn her of the fact that he is an adventurer."
"Hey, my dear boy, those things are no concern of mine."
"After all, she is to be your sister-in-law."
"Yes, but there is nothing to show me conclusively that Mazelli has guilty designs upon her. He exhibits the same gallantry toward all women, and he has never said or done anything improper."
"Well, if you don't want to take it on yourself, I'll do it, although it concerns me less assuredly than it does you."
"So then you are in love with Charlotte?"
"I? No--but I see clearly through this blackguard's game."
"My dear fellow, you are mixing yourself up in matters of a delicate nature, and--unless you are in love with Charlotte----"
"No--I am not in love with her--but I am hunting down imposters, that's what I mean!"
"Good! the best way to make her fall in love with him. You fight with him, and whether he wounds you, or you wound him, he will become a hero in her eyes."
"I would speak to the girl as a friend. She has great confidence in you. Well, I would say to her simply in a few words what these hangers-on of society are. You know very well how to say these things. You possess an eloquent tongue. And I would make her understand, first, why he is attached to the Spaniard; secondly, why he attempted to lay siege to Professor Cloche's daughter; thirdly, why, not having succeeded in this effort, he is striving, in the last place, to make a conquest of Mademoiselle Charlotte Oriol."
"Why do you not do that, yourself, who will be her brother-in-law?"
"Because--because--on account of what passed between us--come! I can't."
"That's quite right. I am going to speak to her."
"Do you want me to procure for you a private conversation with her immediately?"
"Good! Walk about for ten minutes. I am going to carry off Louise and Mazelli, and, when you come back, you will find the other alone."
Paul Bretigny rambled along the side of the Enval gorges, thinking over the best way of opening this difficult conversation.