The cordial bow of the Marquis de St. Hilaire, however, for whom he had always felt a peculiar and inexplicable regard, caused him to change his mind.
He saluted the three gentlemen politely, though with a certain reserve of manner natural to him, and addressed St. Hilaire.
"A word with you, marquis," he said, "if I may be pardoned for taking you from these gentlemen for a few minutes?"
St. Hilaire turned to his companions: "With your permission, messieurs, I will join you in five minutes in the palace."
The gentlemen bowed in assent and walked toward the palace, leaving the count and the marquis alone in the centre of the court.
"You were not present at the reception in the palace. We missed you greatly, marquis," the former began, with an attempt at cordiality of manner, having resolved to make one last appeal to his friend.
"Thank you, my dear d'Arlincourt, for your kindness in saying so," replied the marquis affably, "but I must tell you frankly that even if affairs in the Assembly had not claimed my time, other circumstances would have rendered my presence at this banquet impossible."
"The king," continued d'Arlincourt quietly, "inquired for you several times and seemed much disturbed at your absence."
"I am now on my way to wait upon his majesty," replied St. Hilaire.
The count's face lighted up. "A tardy apology is better than none at all, for I presume you are going to explain your absence."