"By continuing to behave as you have done. I only regret that I cannot do anything towards your future existence; that is a pleasure which your friends have reserved for themselves."
At this moment Madame Armand entered abruptly, and with a troubled air.
"Madame la Marquise," she said, addressing Clémence with hesitation, "I am deeply pained with a message I have to convey to you."
"What do you mean, madame?"
"The Duke de Lucenay is below, just come from your house, madame."
"La, how you frighten me! What's the matter?"
"I do not know, madame; but M. de Lucenay has, he told me, some very distressing information to communicate to you. He learnt from the duchess, his lady, that you were here, and has come in great haste."
"Distressing information!" said Madame d'Harville to herself; then she suddenly shrieked out, in agonised accents, "My daughter, my daughter, my daughter, perhaps! Oh, speak, madame!"
"I do not know, your ladyship."
"Oh, for mercy's sake—for mercy's sake, take me to M. de Lucenay!" cried Madame d'Harville, rushing out with a bewildered air, followed by Madame Armand.