“But why? What’s the reason?”
“It’s the master . . . just think! . . . Such a sight! . . . It gave me a turn, too . . .”
“What sight?”
One of the gentlemen left the group and approached:
“Is Mme. Essarès ill?”
“It’s nothing,” said the maid. “A fainting-fit. . . . She is liable to these attacks.”
“Take her away as soon as she can walk. We shall not need her any longer.”
And, addressing Patrice Belval with a questioning air:
“Captain? . . .”
Patrice pretended not to understand: