And Georget returned sadly to his mother.
XXXIV
THE COAL BARGE
They had all returned to their duties. But hardly an hour had passed since the count's return, when a young woman appeared at the gate. The gardener happened to be alone in front of the house at that moment, and he admitted Violette, for it was she who had arrived at Nogent and had succeeded in finding the house she had sought.
"Is this Monsieur Malberg's house?" the girl asked timidly.
"Yes, mamzelle, this is the place."
"Is Monsieur Malberg at home?"
"Yes, he came back from Paris about an hour ago."
"And could I—could I speak to him?"
"Oh, yes! I think so. But come in, mamzelle, and I will go and tell monsieur."
Violette passed through the gate tremblingly; the gardener, who had taken a step or two toward the house, returned to her and said: