"Ah! Holy Virgin! could I be more unfortunate than I am with these creatures?"
Frederick was shocked at this complaint about servants. It recalled the others too vividly to his mind, and established between the two houses a kind of vexatious equality.
When Delphine came back again, she drew close to the Maréchale's side in order to whisper something in her ear.
"Ah, no! I don't want her!"
Delphine presented herself once more.
"Madame, she insists."
"Ah, what a plague! Throw her out!"
At the same moment, an old lady, dressed in black, pushed forward the door. Frederick heard nothing, saw nothing. Rosanette rushed into her apartment to meet her.
When she reappeared her cheeks were flushed, and she sat down in one of the armchairs without saying a word. A tear fell down her face; then, turning towards the young man, softly:
"What is your Christian name?"