"Why do they not send the child to me this morning, as usual?" he asked the valet who answered the bell.
"I believe that I heard someone say, monsieur le comte, that mademoiselle was not very well in the night; that is probably the reason why she does not come to you."
"Ah! that makes a difference! And the physician—have they sent for the physician?"
"Yes, monsieur le comte."
"Has the Sire de Jarnonville not yet come?"
"No, monseigneur."
"Very well; as soon as the physician has seen the child, send him to me."
The valet left the room; but in a few moments the count rang again, and asked that the child's nurse be sent to him.
Marie appeared, and the count was glad to see the nurse who was taking his daughter to walk on Place Royale when he first met her there. He motioned to her to come forward.
"Blanche is ill—what is the matter?"