And the little girl left the room, taking care to avoid Bahuchet, whose presence seemed almost to terrify her.
"So it is you, messenger of disaster!" said Léodgard, when he and the little clerk were alone; "why have you come here? I did not send for you, I no longer require your services. Tell me—what do you want? Speak!"
"Deign to excuse me for coming, monseigneur; you will understand that it is only because I was requested, even implored, to do so."
"By whom?"
"Does not monsieur le comte divine? By Madame la Marquise de Santoval."
"That woman again! What! after causing me to fight with her husband! after turning me to ridicule so abominably! she dares again—— Well! what does she want with me?"
"This letter will tell you, monseigneur, I do not doubt."
"A letter from her! Ah! this is too much!—Let us see; I am curious to know what she can have to write to me."
Léodgard took the letter, and Bahuchet discreetly withdrew to the other end of the room.
Having hastily broken the seal, Léodgard read these words, written by Valentine: