Glumeau’s face beamed.
“Go, my dear,” his wife added aloud, “and see if the table is laid as you wish; if the names of the guests are arranged to your satisfaction.”
“Yes, yes, you are right; I will go; but we can’t sit down, you know, until Madame de Grangeville comes.”
“All right, all right! but go.”
Glumeau did not wait to be told again; he hurried toward the door, saying to himself:
“At last I can take it!”
But as he opened the door, he found himself face to face with a very fashionably dressed lady who was just about to enter. The unhappy host stopped short, saying:
“It is written that I shall not take it!”
XII
THE BARONNE DE GRANGEVILLE
The Baronne de Grangeville, the latest arrival at Monsieur Glumeau’s, was a lady who had once been exceedingly pretty, and who was still rather attractive; by artificial light she appeared no more than thirty-six years old; by daylight, about thirty-nine; we are not certain how she appeared by twilight.