“Yes, madame, and I am grieved to hear that she is still indisposed.”
“Then, monsieur, you have heard false news. Madame la Comtesse has nearly recovered, and will be quite well enough to act for me to-night.”
Mademoiselle Fontrailles smiled, and Rochefort, not knowing what to make of these contradictory statements, stood glancing from one to the other of his informers.
“Not only that,” continued Madame Dubarry, “but you may tell everyone the news. That Madame la Comtesse has had a slight accident and has now perfectly recovered. And now I must dismiss you, dear Monsieur Rochefort, for I have a world of business before me; but only till to-night, when we will meet at Versailles. You will be there, will you not?”
“Yes,” said Rochefort, “I shall be there to see your triumph—and Mademoiselle Fontrailles?”
“I shall not be there,” said the girl, “or only in spirit; but my dress will be there.”
“Ah!” said Rochefort, “even that is something.”
Then off he went. Light-hearted now and laughing, for it seemed to him that, though his affair had seemingly not made an inch of progress, all was well between him and Camille Fontrailles.