“There we are loved—and truly loved,” she thought.
The emotion with which old Schmucke saw the countess get into her carriage and leave him she fully shared, and she sent him from the tips of her fingers one of those pretty kisses which women give each other from afar. Receiving it, the old man stood planted on his feet for a long time after the carriage had disappeared.
A few moments later the countess entered the court-yard of the hotel de Nucingen. Madame de Nucingen was not yet up; but anxious not to keep a woman of the countess’s position waiting, she hastily threw on a shawl and wrapper.
“My visit concerns a charitable action, madame,” said the countess, “or I would not disturb you at so early an hour.”
“But I am only too happy to be disturbed,” said the banker’s wife, taking the notes and the countess’s guarantee. She rang for her maid.
“Therese,” she said, “tell the cashier to bring me up himself, immediately, forty thousand francs.”
Then she locked into a table drawer the guarantee given by Madame de Vandenesse, after sealing it up.
“You have a delightful room,” said the countess.
“Yes, but Monsieur de Nucingen is going to take it from me. He is building a new house.”
“You will doubtless give this one to your daughter, who, I am told, is to marry Monsieur de Rastignac.”