"Well, you can't say that I did; and just now, before I knew of these discoveries you speak of, I was telling Madame de Camps of another reason why it was desirable to put an end to the acquaintance.""Yes," said Madame de Camps, "your wife and I were just discussing, as you came in, the sort of frenzy Nais has taken for what she calls her 'preserver.' We agreed in thinking there might be future danger in that direction.""From all points of view," said Monsieur de l'Estorade, "it is an unwholesome acquaintance.""It seems to me," said Monsieur de Camps, who was not in the secret of these opinions, "that you go too fast.They may have made what they call compromising discoveries about Monsieur de Sallenauve; but what is the value of those discoveries? Don't hang him till a verdict has been rendered.""My husband can do as he likes," said Madame de l'Estorade; "but as for me, I shall drop the acquaintance at once.I want my friends to be, like Caesar's wife, beyond suspicion.""Unfortunately," said Monsieur de l'Estorade, "there's that unfortunate obligation--""But, my dear," cried Madame de l'Estorade, "if a galley-slave saved my life, must I admit him to my salon?""Oh! dearest," exclaimed Madame de Camps, "you are going too far.""At any rate," said the peer of France, "there is no need to make an open rupture; let things end quietly between us.The dear man is now in foreign parts, and who knows if he means to return?""What!" exclaimed Monsieur de Camps, "has he left the country for a mere rumor?""Not precisely for that reason," said Monsieur de l'Estorade; "he found a pretext.But once out of France, you know--""I don't believe in that conclusion," said Madame de l'Estorade; "Ithink he will return, and if so, my dear, you really must take your courage in both hands and cut short his acquaintance.""Is that," said Monsieur de l'Estorade, looking attentively at his wife, "your actual desire?""Mine?" she replied; "if I had my way, I should write to him and say that he would do us a favor by not reappearing in our house.As that would be rather a difficult letter to write, let us write it together, if you are willing.""We will see about it," said Monsieur de l'Estorade, brightening up under this suggestion; "there's no danger in going slow.The most pressing thing at this moment is the flower-show; I think it closes at four o'clock; if so, we have only an hour before us."Madame de l'Estorade, who had dressed before the arrival of Madame de Camps, rang for her maid to bring her a bonnet and shawl.While she was putting them on before a mirror, her husband came up behind her and whispered in her ear,--"Then you really love me, Renee?"
"Are you crazy, to ask me such a question as that?" she answered, looking at him affectionately.
"Well, then, I must make a confession: that letter, which Philippe brought--I read it.""Then I am not surprised at the change in your looks and manner," said his wife."I, too, will make you a confession: that letter to Monsieur de Sallenauve, giving him his dismissal,--I have written it; you will find it in my blotting-book.If you think it will do, send it."Quite beside himself with delight at finding his proposed successor so readily sacrificed, Monsieur de l'Estorade did not control his joy;taking his wife in his arms, he kissed her effusively.
"Well done!" cried Monsieur de Camps, laughing; "you have improved since morning.""This morning I was a fool," said the peer of France, hunting in the blotting-book for the letter, which he might have had the grace to believe in without seeing.
"Hush!" said Madame de Camps, in a low voice to her husband, to prevent further remarks."I'll explain this queer performance to you by and by."Rejuvenated by ten years at least, the peer of France offered his arm to Madame de Camps, while the amateur iron-master offered his to the countess.
"But Nais!" said Monsieur de l'Estorade, noticing the melancholy face of his daughter, who was looking over the stairs at the party."Isn't she going too?""No," said the countess; "I am displeased with her.""Ah, bah!" said the father, "I proclaim an amnesty.Get your hat," he added, addressing his daughter.
Nais looked at her mother to obtain a ratification, which her knowledge of the hierarchy of power in that establishment made her judge to be necessary.
"You can come," said her mother, "if your father wishes it."While they waited in the antechamber for the child, Monsieur de l'Estorade noticed that Lucas was standing up beside a half-finished letter.
"Whom are you writing to?" he said to his old servant.
"To my son," replied Lucas, "who is very impatient to get his sergeant's stripes.I am telling him that Monsieur le comte has promised to speak to his colonel for him.""True, true," said the peer of France; "it slipped my memory.Remind me of it to-morrow morning, and I'll do it the first thing after I am up.""Monsieur le comte is very good--"
"And here," continued his master, feeling in his waistcoat pocket, and producing three gold pieces, "send that to the corporal, and tell him to drink a welcome to the stripes."Lucas was stupefied.Never had he seen his master so expansive or so generous.
When Nais returned, Madame de l'Estorade, who had been admiring herself for her courage in showing displeasure to her daughter for half an hour, embraced her as if they were meeting after an absence of two years; after which they started for the Luxembourg, where in those days the Horticultural Society held its exhibitions.