"I must be a
fool if I can't find some way of gaining possession of that
letter," she said to herself again and again. "I'm sure I could
find in it the explanation of the abominable intrigue which Pascal
and I are the victims of."
Happily, her preoccupation was not remarked. Each person present
was too deeply engrossed in his or her own concerns to notice the
behavior of the others. Madame Leon's mind was occupied with the
news she had just received; and, besides, her attention was
considerably attracted by some partridges garnished with truffles,
and a bottle of Chateau-Laroze. For she was rather fond of good
living, the dear lady, as she confessed herself, adding that no
one is perfect. The General talked of nothing but a certain pair
of horses which he was to look at that afternoon, and which he
thought of buying--being quite disgusted with job-masters, so he
declared. Besides, he expected to get the animals at a bargain,
as they were the property of a young gentleman who had been led to
commit certain misdemeanors by his love of gambling and his
passion for a notorious woman who was addicted with an insatiable
desire for jewelry.
As for Madame de Fondege, her head seemed to have been completely
turned by the prospect of the approaching fete at the Countess de
Commarin's. She had only a fortnight left to make her
preparations.
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