"Did you come to take breakfast with
us?" he asked. "That would be a most delightful----"
The remainder of the sentence died unuttered upon his lips. His
face became crimson, and the cigar he was holding slipped from his
fingers. He had just perceived Mademoiselle Marguerite, and his
consternation was so apparent that Madame de Fondege could not
fail to remark it; however, she attributed it to the girl's
remarkable beauty. "This is Mademoiselle de Chalusse, my dear
baron," said she, "the daughter of the noble and esteemed friend
whom we so bitterly lament."
Ah! it was not necessary to tell the baron who this young girl
was; he knew it only too well. He was not overcome for long; a
thought of vengeance speedily flashed through his mind. It seemed
to him that Providence itself offered him the means of putting an
end to an intolerable situation. Regaining his self-control by a
powerful effort, he preceded Madame de Fondege through the
magnificent apartments of the mansion, lightly saying: "My wife is
in her boudoir. She will be delighted to see you. But first of
all, I have a good secret to confide to you. So let me take this
young lady to the baroness, and you and I can join them in a
moment!" Thereupon, without waiting for any rejoinder, he took
Marguerite's arm and led her toward the end of the hall. Then
opening a door, he exclaimed in a mocking voice: "Madame Trigault,
allow me to present to you the daughter of the Count de Chalusse.
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