"No, no, to-day's news does not concern the court, but a gentleman of noble lineage, of a very ancient family.--Why, it is utterly inconceivable! And if I had not had my information from the old Duc de Montaulac, who was one of the witnesses, I should refuse to believe it; but one must yield to evidence!" "When you are willing to explain yourself fully, baron, we shall be very glad; for thus far you have confined yourself to most ambiguous phrases." "That is true, mesdames--I beg pardon; this is the authentic news: the son of the Marquis de Marvejols, young Comte Léodgard, is married!" "Married!" cried Madame de Ravenelle, unable to control a movement of surprise; and she glanced at her niece; but the latter remained impassive and simply pressed her lips tightly together, like one who was not at all surprised by what she heard. "That would be perfectly natural," continued the baron; "the count's marriage was sure to come, and it would surprise no one if he had married someone of his own rank, a person of noble birth, of an illustrious family. But if you knew to whom he has given his name!--why, it is beyond belief; such a thing was never seen!" "Really, baron, you are intolerable! You keep us in this suspense!" "Oh! a thousand pardons, _belle dame_!--Well, the descendant of the house of Marvejols, Comte Léodgard, has married a girl of the common people--the daughter of a bath keeper. That is the sort of people with whom that noble gentleman has allied himself." Valentine clenched her fingers on the chair on which her hand rested, but she strove to retain her self-control. For the first time in her life perhaps, Madame de Ravenelle uttered an exclamation, and seemed deeply moved; she could hardly murmur: "It cannot be so, baron; there must be some mistake; such a marriage is impossible!" "Mon Dieu! I said exactly the same thing, madame, when I heard of it; but since the Duc de Montaulac and the Baron de Freilly were present as witnesses to the marriage, and since they have confirmed the report, how can you entertain any further doubt?" "And the old Marquis de Marvejols consented to this marriage?" "He not only consented, but--and this may seem to you even more incredible--he forced his son to contract it, so to speak." "He? the marquis?" "Yes, madame.--You know that he is a very strange man, is the dear marquis! He has certain ideas, certain principles, on the subject of honor, which are worthy of much respect, no doubt; but still there are cases when one may well make an exception to the rule." "And the Duc de Montaulac and the Baron de Freilly consented to act as witnesses to a marriage which violates all the proprieties, which is almost an insult to the nobility?"