"Indeed!" exclaimed the hunchback, in mocking surprise. "Ah, well, so do I. Come, my dear baroness, let us have this little treat in the way of sincerity, which is such a rare thing, alas!"
And M. de Maillefort drew his chair nearer the sofa on which the baroness was seated.
CHAPTER XXII.
AN ORGY OF SINCERITY.
After a moment's silence, Madame de la Rochaiguë, with a penetrating glance at M. de Maillefort, said:
"Marquis, I understand you."
"Bah!"
"Understand you perfectly."
"You do everything to perfection, so this does not surprise me. But let me hear the proofs of these surprising powers of penetration on your part."
"For fear of harrowing my feelings too much, I will not count the number of years during which you never set foot in my house, and now you suddenly return with a truly flattering eagerness. So, being a sensible woman, and not a mere bundle of conceit, I say to myself—"
"Come, baroness, what is it you say to yourself?"