The young girl threw a glance of affectionate gratitude on the two friends, who, leaving the parlour, followed the corridor on their way to Antonine's chamber, when they saw the old servant coming.
He approached and said to Sophie:
"Madame, M. Dutertre wishes to speak to you this moment."
"My husband! where is he?"
"Below, madame, in a carriage at the door; he told the porter to order me to ask you to come down without delay."
"That is strange! Why did he not come up?" said Sophie, looking at her friend.
"M. Dutertre has something to say to you, madame," said Peter.
Madame Dutertre, not a little disquieted, followed him, as she said to the marquise,—
"I shall return immediately, my friend, for I am eager to know the result of the prince's visit to M. Hubert."
Madeleine was left alone.