Madame de Mirecourt advanced a few steps to meet her, and, with the cleverness which women of the world possess in such an eminent degree, she found a way, though surrounded by a crowd of guests, and engaged to all appearance in exchanging the usual commonplaces with the duchess, to really hold the following low-toned conversation with her: "But where is Gerald?" "The doctor had to bleed him this evening." "Good Heavens! what is the matter with him?" "He has been in a terrible state ever since yesterday." "But why did you not warn me, my dear duchess?" "Because up to the very last minute he declared that he was coming, though he did feel so badly." "It is too bad! Mlle. de Beaumesnil may come at any moment, and you were to have taken possession of her immediately upon her arrival." "I know it, so I am in misery--nor is this all." "Why, what else is troubling you, my dear duchess?" "I cannot exactly explain why, but I have some doubts as to my son's intentions." "What an idea!" "He has acted so strangely of late." "But did he not assure you this very day that, though he was far from well, he intended coming here this evening to meet Mlle. de Beaumesnil?" "Certainly; and another thing that reassures me is that M. de Maillefort--whom Madame de la Rochaigue fears so much, and to whom my son has imprudently confided our plans--M. de Maillefort is on our side, for he knows the object of this meeting, and yet he promised to accompany Gerald and me." "There is no help for it, I suppose, but it certainly is a fine opportunity lost. When Madame de la Rochaigue arrives with Mlle. de Beaumesnil, do not leave them for an instant, and so arrange with the baroness that the girl shall have only unattractive men for partners." "Yes, that is very important." Every minute or two new guests came up to pay their respects to Madame de Mirecourt. Suddenly Madame de Senneterre made a hasty movement, then, in a quick aside to her friend, exclaimed: "Why, that is M. de Macreuse who has just come in! Can it be you receive that creature?" "Why, my dear duchess, I have met him at your house a hundred times; besides, it was one of my most particular friends, the sister of the Bishop of Ratopolis, Madame de Cheverny, who requested an invitation for him. You know, too, that M. de Macreuse is received everywhere on account of his St. Polycarpe Mission." "St Polycarpe has nothing in the world to do with it. I assure you, my dear," said the duchess, interrupting her friend impatiently, "I received the man like everybody else, but I am sorry enough now, for I have discovered that he is nothing more or less than a scoundrel, a man that shouldn't be allowed in decent society. I have even heard that valuable articles have been known to disappear during his visits," added Madame de Senneterre, unblushingly. "Great Heavens! is it possible that the man's a thief?" exclaimed Madame de Mirecourt.