"Oh! I'll be the Baron de Lussac, and--if Madame will permit me--the cousin of your cousin."
"Stop! stop! monsieur le baron," said the old gentleman, who had not yet spoken; "it seems to me that you are taking a great liberty."
"Pooh! we are on a campaign," said the duchess; "I permit it."
Monsieur de Vouillé now bravely led the way into the dining-room. The curiosity of the guests and the uneasiness of the mistress of the house were all the more excited by this prolonged absence. So, when the door of the dining-room opened all eyes turned to the new arrivals.
Whatever difficulties there may have been in playing the parts they had thus unexpectedly assumed, none of the actors were at all disconcerted.
"Dear," said the count to his wife, "I have often spoken to you of my cousin in Toulouse--"
"Madame de la Myre?" interrupted the countess, eagerly.
"Yes,--Madame de la Myre. She is on her way to Nantes, and would not pass the château without making your acquaintance. How fortunate that she comes on your birthday! I hope it will bring luck to both."
"Dear cousin!" said the duchess, opening her arms to Madame de Vouillé.
The two women kissed each other. As for the two men M. de Vouillé contented himself with saying aloud, "Monsieur de la Myre," "Monsieur de Lussac."