he glance
by which the lady had conveyed to him that they were both playing a
ridiculous part, the volcanic Provencal again knit the black brows that
overshadowed his blue eyes, smoothed his chestnut curls to keep himself
in countenance, and without betraying the agitation which made his heart
beat, watched the faces of the Countess and of M. de Soulanges while
still chatting with his neighbors. He then took the hand of Colonel
Montcornet, who had just renewed their old acquaintance, but he listened
to him without hearing him; his mind was elsewhere.

Soulanges was gazing calmly at the women, sitting four ranks deep all
round the immense ballroom, admiring this dado of diamonds, rubies,
masses of gold and shining hair, of which the lustre almost outshone the
blaze of waxlights, the cutglass of the chandeliers, and the gilding.
His rival's stolid indifference put the lawyer out of countenance. Quite
incapable of controlling his secret transports of impatience, Martial
went towards Madame de Vaudremont with a bow. On seeing the Provencal,
Soulanges gave him a covert glance, and impertinently turned away his
head. Solemn silence now reigned in the room, where curiosity was at
the highest pitch. All these eager faces wore the strangest mixed
expressions; every one apprehended one of those outbreaks which men of
breeding carefully avoid. Suddenly the Count's pale face turned as red
as the scarlet facings of his coat, and he fixed his gaze on the floor
that the cause of his agitation might not be guessed. On catching sight
of the unknown lady humbly seated by the pedestal of the candelabrum,
he moved away with a melancholy air, passing in front of the lawyer, and
took refuge in one of the cardrooms. Martial and all the company thought
that Soulanges had publicly surrendered the post, out of fear of the
ridicule which invariably attaches to a discarded lover. The lawyer
proudly raised his head and looked at the strange lady; then, as he took
his seat at his ease near Madame de Vaudremont, he listened to her so
inattentively that he did not catch these words spoken behind her fan:

"Martial, you will oblige me this evening by not wearing that ring that
you snatched from me. I have my reasons, and will explain them to you
in a moment when we go away. You must give me your arm to go to the
Princess de Wagram's."

"Why did you come in with the Colonel?" asked the Baron.

"I met him in the hall," she replied. "But leave me now;