By the affected air of the maid who opened the door he knew immediately that something had happened or was happening in the house. He was a man going on toward fifty, rather well preserved, correct, cold and distinguished looking at first sight, but with thick lips, and especially a pair of pop-eyes, half concealed behind his glasses, that sooner or later gave one an impression of distrust.
“Everything all right?” he asked, in spite of his troublesome presentiment. “And madame?”
The servant threw a barely perceptible mocking note into her answer:
“Madame left last night for Italy, with her trunks.”
“For Italy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“At what hour?”
“At midnight.”
“Without any explanation?”
“Madame told me as she was leaving that you had been informed.”