"You had second-sight, baron."
Mignonne appeared at last, in a lovely costume, which became her to admiration, and which she seemed ashamed to wear. It was Frédérique herself who led her into the salon; she blushed when she came in, although Frédérique whispered to her:
"Don't be afraid, Mignonne; the men admire you and the women envy you; that is the most delightful part that one can play in society."
Madame Sordeville bit her lips when she saw Mignonne; that was a tacit homage to her charms.
Everybody had arrived, except Ballangier. He came at last, dressed without pretension, but very suitably for the occasion.
The whole company was assembled in the salon on the ground floor. I took Ballangier's hand and led him to Madame Dauberny, saying:
"Pray permit me, madame, to present my brother."
Everybody loudly expressed surprise, except Frédérique, who whispered to me:
"I knew it."
But the one upon whom my words produced the greatest effect was Ballangier himself. He stood as if rooted to the floor, trembling like a leaf; tears gathered in his eyes, and he said under his breath: