"Then we can count on seeing you to-night at our house?" asked Madeleine. "I have a surprise in store for my friends."
"Can one find out in advance the nature of it?" asked Montferrand, while Fougereuse looked anxiously at Madeleine.
"Oh, yes; his majesty has condescended to appoint the vicomte a captain in the Life Guards with the decoration of St. Louis," said the marquise proudly.
"Oh, I call that a surprise," cried Fougereuse, more freely, and Montferrand hastened to extend his congratulations.
"The Countess of Salves and her daughter have signified their intention of being present," continued Madeleine, "and as soon as my son receives his commission, the engagement of the young couple will be announced."
"It is only what one might expect from the Marquise of Fougereuse," said Montferrand politely, as he rose. "Good-by then, until this evening."
The marquis accompanied the old man to the door, then returned to his wife and excitedly asked:
"Madeleine, is all this true?"
Instead of answering, the marquise contemptuously shrugged her shoulders and left the room to hunt up her son.