He looked up and down the room, and especially at the man whom Duncombe had pointed out to him.

He had edged nearer and nearer till he was almost within earshot.

The Vicomte's voice, always low, became a whisper.
"I can tell you this much, at any rate," he said.

"Whatever their present condition may be, it is more likely to be improved than made worse by your departure.

You are a well-meaning person, Monsieur, but you do nobody any good here, and you risk--more than I dare tell you." The Vicomte turned away to greet a little party of friends who had just entered.