“Excuse my singing out of tune, but this staircase puts me in a heat. Ah, we have reached his door. Let me pull the bell.”
The old dame let the duke pass her, but grumbled. He rang and Madame Flageot, the lawyer’s daughter as well as lawyer’s wife, did not think it beneath her to open the door. Introduced into the office a furious man was seen with a pen in his hand which he flourished, dictating to his principal clerk.
“Good heavens, what are you doing, Master Flageot?” asked the old countess whose voice made the proctor turn round.
“Oh, your ladyship’s most faithful! A chair for the Countess of Bearn. And the Duke of Richelieu, if my eyes do not deceive me. Another seat, Bernardet, for my Lord of Richelieu.”
“How is my suit going on,” inquired the lady.
“Fine, my lady, I was just busy on your behalf, and it will make a noise now, I can tell you.”
“If you have my action in motion, then you can attend to my lord duke.”
“If you please.”
“Well, you must know what brought me—— ”
“The papers M. Rafté brought from your lordship? It is put off indefinitely, at least it may be a year before the case comes up in the courts.”