'And M. de Croisnel? And Roland, your old comrade and brother-in-arms?
What will be their disappointment!' she said.
'I intend to stop for an hour at Rouen on my way back,' said Beauchamp.
She asked if her belle-soeur was aware of the short limitation of his visit.
He had not mentioned it to Madame la Marquise.
'Perhaps you may be moved by the grief of a friend: Renee may persuade you to stay.'
'I came imagining I could be of some use to Madame la Marquise. She writes as if she were telegraphing.'
'Perfectly true of her! For that matter, I saw the letter. Your looks betray a very natural jealousy; but seeing it or not it would have been the same: she and I have no secrets. She was, I may tell you, strictly unable to write more words in the letter. Which brings me to inquire what impression M. d'Henriel made on you yesterday evening.'
'He is particularly handsome.'
'We women think so. Did you take him to be . . . eccentric?'
Beauchamp gave a French jerk of the shoulders.