"Well, my child, you may go.—But, perhaps you have not been paid, and you are waiting——"
"Yes, I am paid, madame; I was not waiting for anything but to be dismissed."
"She talks very well.—Go then, and do not forget what I told you to say to Monsieur de Merval."
"Monsieur de——?"
"How thoughtless I am, to mention his name! I meant to say, the gentleman who sent you to bring this bouquet to me."
"I shall not forget anything, madame."
Violette took her leave, deeply moved by the interview she had had with the lady, and wondering what there was in that commonplace conversation to cause her such emotion. She went at once to the count's and found him impatiently awaiting her; he made her repeat the conversation she had had with Madame de Grangeville, to the slightest detail.
"What do you think of that lady?" enquired Monsieur de Brévanne, when Violette had told him everything.
"I think that she is very good-looking, that is to say, she must have been good-looking; her features are worn now—she is not young, is she, monsieur?"
"No, certainly not. Was she pleasant and affable with you?"