"I had hardly dared to hope any more that this dream would be realized," said Madeleine. "The cabinet position is now sure, and our son has a brilliant future before him. Where is Frederic staying? He has been gone already several hours."
The marquis paid no attention to Madeleine's last words. He was thinking about Simon and the great service the latter had done for him.
"Where can Simon be?" he uneasily remarked, "I have not seen him in two days."
"Bah! he will turn up, let us rather speak about our son. I—"
A knock was heard at the door.
"Come in," said the marquis expectantly; but instead of Simon, as he thought, a servant entered.
"My lord," he stammered, "the vicomte—"
"Ah, he is outside!" cried the marquise eagerly; "tell the vicomte we are awaiting him."
Saying which she advanced toward the door. The servant, however, prevented her from opening it, and placing his hand on the knob, he hesitatingly said:
"Madame—I—"