"Madame the Countess d'Orbigny," said the chief clerk.
"Request her to wait a moment."
"The stepmother of the Marchioness d'Harville?" exclaimed M. de Saint-Remy.
"Yes, sir; she has an appointment with me,—so, your servant, sir."
"Not a word of this, sir!" cried M. de Saint-Remy, in a menacing voice.
"I told you, sir, that a notary is as discreet as a confessor."
Jacques Ferrand rang, and the clerk appeared.
"Show Madame d'Orbigny in." Then, addressing the viscount, "Take these thirteen hundred francs, sir; they will be something towards an arrangement with M. Petit-Jean."
Madame d'Orbigny (formerly Madame Roland) entered at the moment when M. de Saint-Remy went out, his features convulsed with rage at having so uselessly humiliated himself before the notary.
"Ah, good day, M. de Saint-Remy," said Madame d'Orbigny; "what a time it is since I saw you!"