"To what intermediary do you refer, monsieur?"
"To Madame de Luceval."
"My wife?"
"Certainly, monsieur, for though I have not yet had the honour of an introduction to her,—as I remarked a few minutes ago,—my wife is so intimate with your wife that you and I cannot be strangers to each other. The friendship of the ladies began at the convent, and still continues, as they see each other almost daily, and—"
"Pardon me, monsieur, but I think there must be some mistake—"
"Some mistake?"
"Or rather, some misunderstanding in regard to names."
"And why, monsieur?"
"I seldom leave Madame de Luceval. She receives very few people, and I have never had the pleasure of seeing Madame d'Infreville in my house."
It seemed as if Valentine's husband could not believe his own ears, for, turning to his companion, he exclaimed, hoarsely: