"I have no intention of fascinating my judges, my old friend; but in some cases it is better to see with one's own eyes."
The conversation between Dominique and his former pupil continued for some time, and turned upon the particular circumstances of the lawsuit.
At the end of half an hour, the lackey returned, bringing a note for Létorière, who cried out in great astonishment:
"What can she be thinking of? But if she wishes, let it be so . . ."
Then he ordered his carriage and went out, praying Dominique to hasten the preparations for his departure that very evening.
[CHAPTER VIII]
THE CHATEAU SOUBISE
Four persons were chatting in a charming little boudoir, inlaid with the red lacker of Coromandel. The furniture of this delightful room, one of the marvels of the Rohan-Soubise Chateau, was covered with brocade of silver ground with large designs in crimson. The curtains of the windows and doors, made of similar material, fell in graceful folds. A Japanese vase of gold, purple and blue, three feet in height, filled with flowers, and placed before the window, resembled an enamelled screen of the most brilliant colors. On étagères of massive silver, delicately chased and inlaid with charming coral medallions, the work of some famous Florentine artist, were to be seen a quantity of Chinese knick-knacks, impossible to describe on account of their oddity.
Near a fireplace of most beautiful red antique marble, whose grate was ornamented with a garland of flowers and fruit, made of precious stones, was a little bed à la duchesse, a perfect miniature, with curtains, canopies, and coverlets, and feathered plumes on the dais; nothing was wanting. A very diminutive black spaniel, marked with tan, whose long silken hair was coquettishly braided with cherry and silver ribbons, slept on the couch, half hidden under the eider-down cover. A saucer of royal old blue Sèvres china, containing macaroons, crumbled into milk of almonds, awaited the delicate Puff on his awaking.
Madame, the Princess of Rohan-Soubise, her niece, Mlle. de Soissons, the Count de Lugeac and the Abbé of Arcueil, were the actors in the following scene: