"You crying, mamma?" said Blanche.
"Oh! it is with pleasure, with happiness this time, my darling; and this happiness too I owe to you!"
On the day following this scene, about four in the afternoon, a servant entered the apartment of Léodgard, who had his daughter on his knee, and informed his master that a young man had called, saying that he was charged with a message for the Comte de Marvejols and that he desired to be admitted to his presence.
"What is the man's name?" inquired Léodgard.
"He refuses to give it, monsieur le comte; he desires to speak with you alone."
"Admit him."
In a few moments Bahuchet bowed to the floor before the count.
On recognizing the little clerk, his messenger to Valentine, Léodgard was conscious of a thrill of emotion; memories of the past awoke in his heart; and he put Blanche on the floor, saying:
"Go, my child, go to your mother; you may come back to me later."
"Yes, papa!—Oh! what an awfully ugly man!"