Yet it was an unfortunate resolution, for it gave the Count Siccatif de Courtray time and opportunity for a flank movement.  In the Count’s breast rage and astonishment contended for the mastery as he contemplated the curious miscarriage of his newspaper assault.  He had chosen this line of attack partly because his modesty counseled him to keep his own personality in the background, partly because the wider the publicity of his rival’s disgrace the more complete would that disgrace be.  But as his newspaper ally failed him, he took the campaign into his own hands; that is to say, he hurried to tell the true story, and a good deal more than the true story, to Rose and Madame Carthame.

Concerning its effect upon Rose, he was in doubt; but its effect upon Madame Carthame was all that he could desire.  This severe person instantly took the cue that the Count dexterously gave her by affecting to palliate Jaune’s erratic conduct.  He urged that, inasmuch as M. d’Antimoine was a conspicuous failure as an artist, for him to engage himself to a tailor as a walking advertisement, so far from being a disgrace to him, was greatly to his credit.  And Madame Carthame promptly and vehemently asserted that it wasn’t.  She refused to regard what he had done in any other light than that of a crime.  She declared that never again should his offensive form darken her door.  Solemnly she forbade Rose from recognizing him when in the future they should chance to meet.  And then she abated her severity to the extent of thanking the Count with tears in her eyes for the service that he had done her in tearing off this viper’s disguise.  Naturally, the Count was charmed by Ma-dame Carthame’s energetic indignation.  He perceived that his unselfish investigations of the actions of Monsieur Jaune were bearing excellent fruit.  Already, as he believed, the way toward his own happiness was smooth and clear.  As the Count retired from this successful conference, he laughed softly to himself:  nor did he pause in his unobtrusive mirth to reflect that those laugh best who laugh last.

And thus it came to pass that when Jaune, refreshed by sound slumber and a little cheered by hope, presented himself the next morning at Madame Carthame’s gates, fate decreed that Rose herself should open the gates to him—­in response to his ring—­and in her own proper person should tell him that she was not at home.  In explanation of this obviously inexact statement she announced to him her mother’s stern decree.  Being but a giddy young person, however, and one somewhat lacking in fit reverence of maternal authority, she added, on her own account, that in half an hour or so she was going up Fourth Street to the Gansevoort market, and that Fourth Street was a public thoroughfare, upon which M. d’Antimoine also had a perfect right to walk.