“And how was Sancerre when you came away?” asked Madame de la Baudraye, to change the subject.
“Monsieur de la Baudraye announced that your expected confinement after so many years made it necessary that it should take place in Paris, and that he had insisted on your going to be attended by the first physicians,” replied Monsieur de Clagny, guessing what it was that Dinah most wanted to know. “And so, in spite of the commotion to which your departure gave rise, you still have your legal status.”
“Why!” she exclaimed, “can Monsieur de la Baudraye still hope——”
“Your husband, madame, did what he always does—made a little calculation.”
The lawyer left the box when the journalist returned, bowing with dignity.
“You are a greater hit than the piece,” said Etienne to Dinah.
This brief triumph brought greater happiness to the poor woman than she had ever known in the whole of her provincial existence; still, as they left the theatre she was very grave.
“What ails you, my Didine?” asked Lousteau.
“I am wondering how a woman succeeds in conquering the world?”
“There are two ways. One is by being Madame de Stael, the other is by having two hundred thousand francs a year.”