CHAPTER XIII.
AN HONEST CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
Mlle. de Beaumesnil, on reëntering the ball-room, also noticed Gerald de Senneterre standing near one of the doorways. He was very pale, and looked extremely sad.
The sight of him reminded Ernestine of her friend's despair, and she asked herself why Gerald, in spite of his love for Herminie and his desire to marry her, had come to this ball where a meeting with her, Ernestine, had been arranged by Madame de la Rochaiguë.
As she conducted the richest heiress in France back to her seat, Madame de la Senneterre said to her, with the utmost affability:
"Mademoiselle, I am deputised to ask a favour of you in behalf of my son."
"What is it, madame?"
"He begs that you will give him the next quadrille, though he is not dancing this evening, for he has been, and is still, quite indisposed, so much so, in fact, that it required almost superhuman courage on his part to come at all. But he hoped to have the honour of meeting you here, mademoiselle, and such a hope as that works wonders."
"But if M. de Senneterre does not feel able to dance, madame, what is the use of my making an engagement with him?"
"That is a secret which I will divulge when the crowds of young men that are going to besiege you with invitations to dance are disposed of. Merely remember that the next quadrille belongs to my son, that is, if you are so kind as to grant him the favour he asks."
"With the greatest pleasure, madame."