"I have not been as successful," he remarked, when
Chupin's story was ended. But he had not time to explain how or
why, for just as he was about to do so, Madame Dodelin appeared,
and announced that the young lady he expected was there. "Let her
come in!" exclaimed M. Fortunat, eagerly--"let her come in!"
Mademoiselle Marguerite had not been compelled to resort to any
subterfuge to make her escape from Madame de Fondege's house. The
General had decamped early in the morning to try his horses and
his carriages, announcing, moreover, that he would breakfast at
the club. And as soon as her breakfast was concluded, Madame de
Fondege had hurried off to her dressmaker's, warning the household
that she would not return before dinner-time. A little while
later, Madame Leon had suddenly remembered that her noble relative
would certainly be expecting a visit from her, and so she dressed
herself in haste, and went off, first to Dr. Jodon's and thence to
the Marquis de Valorsay's.
Thus, Mademoiselle Marguerite had been able to make her escape
without attracting any one's attention, and she would be able to
remain away as many hours as she chose, since the servants would
not know how long she had been absent even if they saw her when
she returned. An empty cab was passing as she left the house, so
she hailed it and got in. The step she was about to take cost her
a terrible effort.
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