"Did he seem very happy on receiving the appointment?" "Oh, yes!--He would be glad, he said, to defy a thousand dangers to see madame." "Well! we will afford him that pleasure.--You had never seen Léodgard, Miretta; is he not a charming cavalier?" "Why, yes, madame; he is well favored." "You say that as if you thought just the opposite!" "Mon Dieu! madame, the fact is, that, although monsieur le comte is a handsome gentleman, I--I do not like his face." "You are hard to please, Miretta!" "But--but I inferred--I thought from what madame had said to me, that monsieur le comte had ceased to please her." "I propose to have my revenge for the affront he put upon me! But that does not prevent me from doing him justice.--The rendezvous this evening will be without danger for him--at least, I think so; but I shall be very glad to see at my feet the man who refused to be my husband! I long to hear him make oaths of love, protestations of undying affection for me. I want him to curse the day on which he allowed me to become the wife of another man!" "But, beware, madame!--Since you consider monsieur le comte so fascinating, are you not afraid that that feeling will triumph over your resentment, as you listen to his words of love?" "Oh, no! no! I fear nothing!--Besides, you will stay with me, Miretta; you will not leave me." On both sides the coming of night was awaited with impatience. It came at last, and about eight o'clock the Marquis de Santoval went to his wife's apartment; she had feigned indisposition since the day before, and had remained in her room. The marquis glanced about him for some time with an expression that was far from benevolent. He had never said a word to Valentine on the subject of the young clerk whom he had had cudgelled. Monsieur de Santoval was one of those men who do not speak for a mere suspicion, but who collect facts, and are terrible when they allow the storm to burst which they have long repressed in the depths of their hearts. "Well, madame, how are you this evening?" he asked, as he seated himself beside his wife. "Still about the same, monsieur; my head aches, and I feel languid; I must have a touch of fever.--See, feel my pulse." "I know nothing of such matters, madame," replied the marquis; and he did not touch the arm that his wife held out to him. "Oh! that is a pity!" "So you cannot come with me to the Duchesse de Brillac's?" "You must realize that it is impossible, monsieur. In my opinion, one should not go into society looking as if one were bored and ill! You must make my excuses to the duchess." "Yes, madame, yes. I am sorry to leave you not feeling well; and if I had not promised the duke----" "I should be very sorry to have you deprive yourself of an agreeable evening because of a simple indisposition, entirely unattended by any danger.--I have Miretta, who will stay with me, who will not leave me." "Your faithful maid. That girl is very much attached to you, is she not?"