This theory accounts for the magical effect of the words:
“Madame,—Madame Camusot, on very important business, which she says you know of,” spoken in Madame d’Espard’s ear by her maid, who thought she was awake.
And the Marquise desired that Amelie should be shown in at once.
The magistrate’s wife was attentively heard when she began with these words:
“Madame la Marquise, we have ruined ourselves by trying to avenge you——”
“How is that, my dear?” replied the Marquise, looking at Madame Camusot in the dim light that fell through the half-open door. “You are vastly sweet this morning in that little bonnet. Where do you get that shape?”
“You are very kind, madame.—Well, you know that Camusot’s way of examining Lucien de Rubempre drove the young man to despair, and he hanged himself in prison.”
“Oh, what will become of Madame de Serizy?” cried the Marquise, affecting ignorance, that she might hear the whole story once more.
“Alas! they say she is quite mad,” said Amelie. “If you could persuade the Lord Keeper to send for my husband this minute, by special messenger, to meet him at the Palais, the Minister would hear some strange mysteries, and report them, no doubt, to the King.... Then Camusot’s enemies would be reduced to silence.”
“But who are Camusot’s enemies?” asked Madame d’Espard.