On leaving the place, and
before entering the carriage again, Madame de Fondege turned to
Marguerite and inquired: "Where shall we go now? I have given
the servants an 'outing' on account of the workmen, and we cannot
breakfast at home. Why can't we go to a restaurant, we two? Many
of the most distinguished ladies are in the habit of doing so.
You will see how people will look at us! I am sure it will amuse
you immensely."
"Ah! madame, you forget that it is not a fortnight since the
count's death!"
Madame de Fondege was about to make an impatient reply, but she
mastered the impulse, and in a tone of hypocritical compassion,
exclaimed: "Poor child! poor, dear child! that's true. I had
forgotten. Well, such being the case, we'll go and ask Baroness
Trigault to give us our breakfast. You will see a lovely woman."
And addressing the coachman she instructed him to drive to the
Trigault mansion in the Rue de la Ville l'Eveque.
When Madame de Fondege's brougham drew up before the door, the
baron was standing in the courtyard with a cigar between his
teeth, examining a pair of horses which had been sent him on
approbation. He did not like his wife's friend, and he usually
avoided her. But precisely because he was acquainted with the
General's crime and Pascal's plans, he thought it politic to seem
amiable. So, on recognizing Madame de Fondege through the
carriage window, he hastened forward with outstretched hand to
assist her in alighting.
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