"M. Frederick is busy, madame, very busy," replied Marguerite, exchanging a glance of intelligence with the preceptor, who was going out of the door.
"If madame will permit it," said Marguerite, "I will stay with her, in case she may need something."
"Ah, Marguerite, Marguerite," said the young wife, smiling and shaking her head, "they are plotting something here."
"Why do you think that, madame?"
"Oh, I am very discerning! Since this morning, such goings and comings I have heard in the corridor, Frederick is absent during his study hour, and an unusual noise in the library; so you see—"
"I can assure you, madame, that—"
"Good! good! you are taking advantage of my condition," said Marie, smiling. "They all know that I cannot walk about and see myself what is happening out there."
"Oh, madame, what do you think?"
"Well, Marguerite, I think it is a surprise."
"A surprise, madame?"