"It gives me infinite pain to hear that you have been ill, but I rejoice to see you so perfectly restored. I never saw you looking better in my life."
MADAME DE MAINTENON.
A glare of anger passed into Lauzun's eyes, and he frowned. Again there was a long and awkward pause.
"You have laid out a great deal of money here at Choisy," he says with a sneer, his eyes wandering round. "I think you have been ill-advised to purchase this place. It is a mere guinguette, lying in a hole. What a useless building it is—so ill designed too!" and he casts his eyes contemptuously down the suite of rooms, the doors of which are open.
"Some people think it is not good enough for me," answers Mademoiselle, with forced calmness, although her lips tremble in spite of herself.
"Have you paid for it, madame?" asks Lauzun, with the utmost impertinence.
"I have paid for it," replies the Princess.