trembled. The Chevalier de Valois, though he had dined
with the appetite of four men, turned pale even to the left section
of his face. Feeling that he was about to betray himself, he said
hastily,--

"Don't you think it is very cold to-day? I am almost frozen."

"The neighborhood of Russia, perhaps," said du Bousquier.

The chevalier looked at him as if to say, "Well played!"

Mademoiselle Cormon appeared so radiant, so triumphant, that the company
thought her handsome. This extraordinary brilliancy was not the effect
of sentiment only. Since early morning her blood had been whirling
tempestuously within her, and her nerves were agitated by the
presentiment of some great crisis. It required all these circumstances
combined to make her so unlike herself. With what joy did she now make
her solemn presentation of the viscount to the chevalier, the chevalier
to the viscount, and all Alencon to Monsieur de Troisville, and Monsieur
de Troisville to all Alencon!

By an accident wholly explainable, the viscount and chevalier,
aristocrats by nature, came instantly into unison; they recognized each
other at once as men belonging to the same sphere. Accordingly, they
began to converse together, standing before the fireplace. A circle
formed around them; and their conversation, though uttered in a low
voice, was listened to in religious silence. To give the effect of
this scene it is necessary to dramatize it, and to picture Mademoiselle
Cormon occupied in pouring out the coffee of her imaginary suitor, with
her back to the fireplace.

Monsieur de Valois. "Monsieur le vicomte has come, I am told, to settle
in Alencon?"

Monsieur de Troisville. "Yes, monsieur, I am looking for a house."
[Mademoiselle Cormon, cup in hand, turns round.] "It must be a large
house" [Mademoiselle Cormon offers him the cup] "to lodge my whole
family." [The eyes of the old maid are troubled.]

Monsieur de Valois. "Are you married?"

Monsieur de Troisville. "Yes, for the last sixteen years, to a daughter
of the Princess Scherbellof."

Mademoiselle Cormon fainted; du Bousquier, who saw her stagger, sprang
forward and received her in his arms; some one opened the door and
allowed him to pass out with his enormous burden. The fiery republican,
instructed by Josette, found strength to carry the old maid to her
bedroom, where he laid her out on the bed. Josette, armed with scissors,
cut the corset, which was terribly tight. Du Bousquier flung water