"Together?" said the marchioness. "So much frankness was not necessary, madame!"
Julie was about to reply when a loud ring in the antechamber made the marchioness start.
"Come, no useless quarrels!" she said, suddenly changing her tone; "here are visitors. Sign, my dear; let us have done!"
And, as the footman was about to announce someone, she called to him:
"Say that we are not receiving yet; let the person wait!"
"Excuse me, madame," said Julie, offended by this authoritative tone in her presence, "I am still still in my own house."
Marcel, who had noticed the marchioness's sudden impatience, was conscious of an ill-defined but imperative impulse. He took the pen from Julie's hand. The marchioness turned pale, Marcel kept his eyes upon her.
"Shall I announce the visitor?" the footman asked Julie.
"Yes," replied Marcel, hastily, for he had seen the visitor's face through the open door.
"Yes," echoed Julie, impelled by Marcel's excitement.