He mechanically tendered them his card.

They read it, and permitted him to pass, convinced that he was drunk.
Anger,--a furious anger, began to replace his first feeling of resignation.

In his heart arose a hate, stronger and more violent than even his love for Claire.

That other, that preferred one, that haughty viscount, who could not overcome those paltry obstacles, oh, that he had him there, under his knee! At that moment, this noble and proud man, this severe and grave magistrate experienced an irresistible longing for vengeance.

He began to understand the hate that arms itself with a knife, and lays in ambush in out-of-the-way places; which strikes in the dark, whether in front or from behind matters little, but which strikes, which kills, whose vengeance blood alone can satisfy.
At that very hour he was supposed to be occupied with an inquiry into the case of an unfortunate, accused of having stabbed one of her wretched companions.