"Astonishment at what?"
"Madame d'Harville."
"Madame d'Harville! Gracious heaven! Some fresh misfortune?"
"No, no, my lord—indeed, nothing unfortunate has occurred. Pray compose yourself! She is—in the drawing-room—"
"Here—in my house? Madame d'Harville here? Impossible!"
"My lord, I told you the surprise had quite overpowered me!"
"Tell me what has induced her to take such a step! Speak, I conjure you! In heaven's name, explain the reason for her acting so contrary to her usually rigid notions!"
"Indeed, my lord, I know nothing. But I cannot even account to myself for the strange feelings that come over me."
"You are concealing something from me!"
"No, indeed, my lord; on the honour of a man, I know only what the marquise said to me."