Suppose some one went up and tried to find out what is going on." This proposition did not meet with the least favour.

The servants knew by experience that, on important occasions, spying was worse than useless.
M.de Commarin knew all about servants from infancy.

His study was, therefore, a shelter from all indiscretion.

The sharpest ear placed at the keyhole could hear nothing of what was going on within, even when the master was in a passion, and his voice loudest.

One alone, Denis, the count's valet, had the opportunity of gathering information; but he was well paid to be discreet, and he was so.
At this moment, M.de Commarin was sitting in the same arm-chair on which the evening before he had bestowed such furious blows while listening to Albert.
As soon as he left his carriage, the old nobleman recovered his haughtiness.