"For the next, monsieur," replied Ernestine, much surprised at the question.
"You hear, my friend," said M. de Maillefort to the gentleman who had just spoken to him.
"Very well, my dear marquis."
And M. de Maillefort's friend, after having made quite a détour, rejoined Messrs. Morainville and d'Hauterive, and said a few words to which both gave a nod of assent.
"My dear child," remarked the marquis, again turning to Mlle. de Beaumesnil, "I have been watching over you for some time past without appearing to do so, for though you never saw me at your mother's house during your childhood, I was one of your mother's friends—most devoted friends."
"Ah, monsieur, I ought to have mistrusted that sooner, for you have been so grossly maligned to me."
"That was very natural under the circumstances. Now, a word or two upon a more important matter. M. de la Rochaiguë has often spoken of M. de Mornand as a suitor for your hand, has he not? and has also assured you that you could not make a better choice?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"My poor child!" said the marquis, compassionately; then he continued, in his usual sarcastic tone:
"And Mlle. Helena, in her turn, saintly, devout creature that she is, has said the very same thing about M. Célestin de Macreuse, another extremely devout and saintly personage."