on
Mademoiselle Cormon's face and bosom, which, released from the corset,
overflowed like the Loire in flood. The poor woman opened her eyes,
saw du Bousquier, and gave a cry of modesty at the sight of him. Du
Bousquier retired at once, leaving six women, at the head of whom was
Madame Granson, radiant with joy, to take care of the invalid.

What had the Chevalier de Valois been about all this time? Faithful to
his system, he had covered the retreat.

"That poor Mademoiselle Cormon," he said to Monsieur de Troisville,
gazing at the assembly, whose laughter was repressed by his cool
aristocratic glances, "her blood is horribly out of order; she wouldn't
be bled before going to Prebaudet (her estate),--and see the result!"

"She came back this morning in the rain," said the Abbe de Sponde, "and
she may have taken cold. It won't be anything; it is only a little upset
she is subject to."

"She told me yesterday she had not had one for three months, adding that
she was afraid it would play her a trick at last," said the chevalier.

"Ha! so you are married?" said Jacquelin to himself as he looked at
Monsieur de Troisville, who was quietly sipping his coffee.

The faithful servant espoused his mistress's disappointment; he divined
it, and he promptly carried away the liqueurs of Madame Amphoux, which
were offered to a bachelor, and not to the husband of a Russian woman.

All these details were noticed and laughed at. The Abbe de Sponde knew
the object of Monsieur de Troisville's journey; but, absent-minded
as usual, he forgot it, not supposing that his niece could have the
slightest interest in Monsieur de Troisville's marriage. As for the
viscount, preoccupied with the object of his journey, and, like many
husbands, not eager to talk about his wife, he had had no occasion
to say he was married; besides, he would naturally suppose that
Mademoiselle Cormon knew it.

Du Bousquier reappeared, and was questioned furiously. One of the six
women came down soon after, and announced that Mademoiselle Cormon was
much better, and that the doctor had come. She intended to stay in bed,
as it was necessary to bleed her. The salon was now full. Mademoiselle
Cormon's absence allowed the ladies present to discuss the tragi-comic
scene--embellished, extended, historified, embroidered, wreathed,
colored, and adorned--which had just taken place, and which, on the
morrow, was destined to occupy all Alencon.

"That good Monsieur du Bous