"A nobleman of position!" added the countess.
"How did this come about?" inquired the count.
M. de Bois looked stupefied.
"Who—who—said she was married?" he gasped out. "Why do you imagine that she is mar—ar—arried?"
"She is not—not married then? Say she is not!" broke in Maurice, hanging upon the reply as though it were a sentence of life or death.
"No—no—not married at all—not in the least married."
Maurice did not answer, but the sound that issued from his lips almost resembled the sob of hysteric passion.
"Tell us quickly all about her!" besought Bertha, impatiently.
"Yes, speak! speak!" said the countess, imperiously.
"Speak!" echoed the count.