"I know you too well, Dame Marguerite, to imagine that a wise and discreet person like yourself would reproach me with being envious——"
"Indeed, I would not venture, madam.... I would indeed not venture——"
"And you would be right. What is there in your present fate to be envied. A storm is beating down upon you."
"Envious people do not need much to be envious about. They envy even the calmness and courage derived from a clean conscience, when misfortune is on!"
"You admit it?... Misfortune has come upon you and your husband?" cried the councilman's wife triumphantly, and for a moment forgetting her rôle of hypocrite. But recalling herself, she added cajolingly: "The avowal at least makes me hope that you will accept the services of my husband."
Realizing the gravity of the last words of the councilman's wife, Marguerite fixed a penetrating look upon her and answered:
"Did Master Maillart send you to offer his services to my husband? Whence such solicitude?"
"Have the two not been friends since their childhood? Is the friendship of youth ever forgotten? You have earned our affection."
"It is so at least with generous hearts. But if Master Maillart wishes to render a service to my husband, why should he send you, madam? Does he not meet Marcel daily at the town-hall?"
"Since last evening, neither Maillart nor any of his friends have set foot at the town-hall ... and for good reasons. And for another reason he would not set foot here. That is why he has commissioned me to come and offer you his advice and services."