"Between now and then," said Madame de Camps, "Monsieur de Sallenauve may have reached a distinction which will put his name on every lip;and Nais, with her lively imagination, is more likely than other girls to be dazzled by it.""But, my dear love, look at the disproportion in their ages.""Monsieur de Sallenauve is thirty, and Nais will soon be fourteen;that is precisely the difference between you and Monsieur de l'Estorade.""Well, you may be right," said Madame de l'Estorade, "and the sort of marriage I made from reason Nais may want to make from folly.But you needn't be afraid; I will ruin that idol in her estimation.""But there again, as in the comedy of hatred you mean to play for Monsieur de l'Estorade's benefit, you need moderation.If you do not manage it by careful transitions, you may miss your end.Never allow the influence of circumstances to appear when it is desirable than an impulse or an action should seem spontaneous.""But," said Madame de l'Estorade, excitedly, "do you think that my hatred, as you call it, will be acted? I do hate him, that man; he is our evil genius!""Come, come, my dear, be calm! I don't know you--you, you have always been Reason incarnate."At this moment Lucas entered the room and asked his mistress if she would receive a Monsieur Jacques Bricheteau.Madame de l'Estorade looked at her friend, as if to consult her.
"He is that organist who was so useful to Monsieur de Sallenauve during the election.I don't know what he can want of me.""Never mind," said Madame de Camps, "receive him.Before beginning hostilities it is always well to know what is going on in the enemy's camp.""Show him in," said the countess.
Jacques Bricheteau entered.Expecting to be received in a friendly country, he had not taken any particular pains with his dress.An old maroon frock-coat to the cut of which it would have been difficult to assign a date, a plaid waistcoat buttoned to the throat, surmounted by a black cravat worn without a collar and twisted round the neck, yellowish trousers, gray stockings, and laced shoes,--such was the more than negligent costume in which the organist allowed himself to appear in a countess's salon.
Requested briefly to sit down, he said,--"Madame, I hope I am not indiscreet in thus presenting myself without having the honor of being known to you, but Monsieur Marie-Gaston told me of your desire that I should give music-lessons to your daughter.
At first I replied that it was impossible, for all my time was occupied; but the prefect of police has just afforded me some leisure by dismissing me from a place I filled in his department; therefore Iam now happy to place myself at your disposal.""Your dismissal, monsieur, was caused by your activity in Monsieur de Sallenauve's election, was it not?" asked Madame de Camps.
"As no reason was assigned for it, I think your conjecture is probably correct; especially as in twenty years I have had no trouble whatever with my chiefs.""It can't be denied," said Madame de l'Estorade, sharply, "that you have opposed the views of the government by this proceeding.""Consequently, madame, I have accepted this dismissal as an expected evil.What interest, after all, had I in retaining my paltry post, compared to that of Monsieur de Sallenauve's election?""I am very sorry," resumed Madame de l'Estorade, "to be unable to accept the offer you are good enough to make me.But I have not yet considered the question of a music-master for my daughter; and, in any case, I fear that, in view of your great and recognized talent, your instruction would be too advanced for a little girl of fourteen.""Well," said Jacques Bricheteau, smiling, "no one has recognized my talent, madame.Monsieur de Sallenauve and Monsieur Marie-Gaston have only heard me once or twice.Apart from that I am the most obscure of professors, and perhaps the dullest.But setting aside the question of your daughter's master, I wish to speak of a far more important interest, which has, in fact, brought me here.I mean Monsieur de Sallenauve.""Has Monsieur de Sallenauve," said Madame de l'Estorade, with marked coldness of manner, "sent you here with a message to my husband?""No, madame," replied Jacques Bricheteau, "he has unfortunately given me no message.I cannot find him.I went to Ville d'Avray this morning, and was told that he had started on a journey with Monsieur Marie-Gaston.The servant having told me that the object and direction of this journey were probably known to you--""Not in any way," interrupted Madame de l'Estorade.
Not as yet perceiving that his visit was unacceptable and that no explanation was desired, Jacques Bricheteau persisted in his statement:--"This morning, I received a letter from the notary at Arcis-sur-Aube, who informs me that my aunt, Mother Marie-des-Anges, desires me to be told of a scandalous intrigue now being organized for the purpose of ousting Monsieur de Sallenauve from his post as deputy.The absence of our friend will seriously complicate the matter.We can take no steps without him; and I cannot understand why he should disappear without informing those who take the deepest interest in him.""That he has not informed you is certainly singular," replied Madame de l'Estorade, in the same freezing tone; "but as for my husband or me, there is nothing to be surprised about."The meaning of this discourteous answer was too plain for Jacques Bricheteau not to perceive it.He looked straight at the countess, who lowered her eyes; but the whole expression of her countenance, due north, confirmed the meaning he could no longer mistake in her words.