"Show the visitor into Mlle. de Beaumesnil's drawing-room," the baroness said to one of the servants.
The man withdrew, but returned a moment afterwards to say:
"I showed the visitor into mademoiselle's drawing-room as madame ordered, but it is not Madame de Mirecourt."
"Who is it, then?"
"M. le Marquis de Maillefort, madame."
"That detestable man!" exclaimed the baron. "A visit at this hour is an inexcusable familiarity on his part."
The baroness motioned to her husband to be more guarded before the servants, then whispered to Ernestine, who seemed surprised at this incident:
"M. de la Rochaiguë does not like M. de Maillefort, who is really one of the most spiteful and mischief-making hunchbacks imaginable."
"A positive devil!" added Helena.
"It seems to me that I have heard my mother speak of a M. de Maillefort," remarked Ernestine, thoughtfully.