"Ah! very good," said Julien, speaking in the tone which one adopts with children and madmen. "Madame la Comtesse d'Estrelle? I don't know her."
"A silly answer, master painter, and altogether useless. I desire to speak to that lady, and I know that she lives here—from time to time!"
"Marcel," said Julien, turning to his cousin, "was it you who brought this lady to me?"
Marcel, in dire distress, shook his head.
"Then it was you, monsieur?" Julien asked the notary.
"No, monsieur," the notary replied with decision; "I followed madame, and I have absolutely no idea why she came here."
"Then you would have done better not to have followed me," replied the marchioness with calm asperity; "I had a reason for coming to this picture-shop, you have none. Do me the favor to allow me to conduct myself here as I please."
"I wash my hands of the affair," replied the notary, saluting Julien with much courtesy; and he took his leave, cursing the shrewish and capricious humor of his client.
"As for you, monsieur le procureur,—" said the marchioness to Marcel.
"As for me, madame," retorted Marcel, "this house is occupied by members of my own family, and I receive orders from no one except the mistress of the house, who is my aunt."