I.
As a result of this culminating explanation, the Dykgrave, to whom Blandine had revealed a part of Landrillon's manœuvres, namely, those of which she had not been directly the victim, dismissed the domestic.
The Count preferred to face the worst consequences of this step rather than continue to breathe the same air with the rascal, and Blandine, entirely won over to her master's views, now feared no longer the scandal that the fellow had constantly threatened.
Landrillon was stupefied at this unexpected execution. He believed he was about to attain his ends and that he held them both, Blandine and the Count, at his mere mercy. How dared they send him away? Truly he could not get over it.
But, although taken aback for the moment, when Kehlmark, having had him summon-
