“Certainly, General, I shall do so.”
“For my part, I love her like a fool.”
“That is only right, General!”
“Hum—and what of Des Rameures?”
“I think we shall agree, General!”
“Bravo! we shall talk more of this later. Go and see her, my dear child!”
Camors proceeded to the Rue St. Dominique, where Madame de la Roche-Jugan resided.
“Is my aunt in, Joseph?” he inquired of the servant whom he found in the antechamber, very busy in the preparations which the occasion demanded.
“Yes, Monsieur le Comte, Madame la Comtesse is in and will see you.”
“Very well,” said Camors; and directed his steps toward his aunt’s chamber. But this chamber was no longer hers. This worthy woman had insisted on giving it up to Mademoiselle Charlotte, for whom she manifested, since she had become the betrothed of the seven hundred thousand francs’ income of the General, the most humble deference. Mademoiselle d’Estrelles had accepted this change with a disdainful indifference. Camors, who was ignorant of this change, knocked therefore most innocently at the door. Obtaining no answer, he entered without hesitation, lifted the curtain which hung in the doorway, and was immediately arrested by a strange spectacle. At the other extremity of the room, facing him, was a large mirror, before which stood Mademoiselle d’Estrelles. Her back was turned to him.