"If what you have to tell Monsieur Gerbault is likely to be unpleasant for him to hear," interposed Monsieur Clairval, "it seems to me, Monsieur Batonnin, that you would have done much better to say nothing at all on the subject. As Monsieur Monleard concealed the fact that he had had a duel, it is to be presumed that he feared that it would displease his father-in-law; and, frankly, it isn't decent of you to come here and volunteer to tell something that nobody asked you to tell." "I beg your pardon, Monsieur Gerbault just asked me to tell him what I knew." "Go on, Monsieur Batonnin, finish your story, I beg; what did this person say, whom Madame Delbois overheard?" "Your son-in-law heard him, too, and that is what led to the challenge. However, I simply repeat what Madame Delbois told me. I wasn't there; I was dancing at that moment." "Well, Monsieur Batonnin, this man said----?" "I give you my word of honor, my dear Monsieur Gerbault, that it gives me the greatest pain to repeat his detestable words. I am very sorry that I mentioned it; I did it quite innocently----" "Oh! finish, for heaven's sake!" "That man exclaimed, when he caught sight of the bride: 'Ah! there's the faithless Fanny!'" Monsieur Clairval began to laugh, and Monsieur Gerbault deemed it the wiser plan to do the same; Adolphine decided to imitate them, and Monsieur Batonnin, who expected to produce a startling effect, looked very sheepish when he saw them all laughing. "Ah! that strikes you as amusing, does it?" he faltered. "Mon Dieu! Monsieur Batonnin, with all your hesitation and holding back, I thought that you were going to tell us something scandalous. Frankly, it seems to me that those words, from the mouth of a man who was drunk, no doubt, and whose tongue may have been twisted, did not deserve such a long preamble----" "Your son-in-law didn't think as you do, apparently; for he rushed after the fellow, and they exchanged cards." "Did Madame Delbois see that also?" "Why, yes." "How does it happen that that lady, who is evidently very fond of talking, has not delivered herself before this of things that took place more than six weeks ago?" "That's easily explained: she left Paris for the country the next morning, and didn't return until the day before yesterday." "Oh! you needn't tell me that!--Come, let us go and have some coffee." "Look you, my dear Batonnin," said Monsieur Clairval, laughing heartily, "your news fell rather flat. It's a pity, isn't it?" Batonnin bit his lips, and, strange to say, did not smile. XXIII A GAME OF BEZIQUE They had just finished their coffee, when the Comte de la Beriniere was announced. "I come early, you see. I made haste to get rid of the person with whom I dined," said the count, kissing Adolphine's hand, who seemed little flattered by the attention. "That is very good of you; in return, we will have a game of bezique for your benefit."