She pictured her lover's
face upon the background of this company, rejoicing to see it stand
forth among those paltry and puny figures who were but the instruments
of his great designs.
The footsteps of the marquis were heard in the adjoining room.
Instantly the company separated into little groups and the whisperings
ceased. Like schoolboys who have plotted mischief in the master's
absence, they hurriedly became silent and orderly. Montauran entered.
Marie had the happiness of admiring him among his fellows, of whom he
was the youngest, the handsomest, and the chief. Like a king in his
court, he went from group to group, distributing looks and nods and
words of encouragement or warning, with pressure of the hands and
smiles; doing his duty as leader of a party with a grace and
self-possession hardly to be expected in the young man whom Marie had
so lately accused of heedlessness.
The presence of the marquis put an end to the open curiosity bestowed
on Mademoiselle de Verneuil, but Madame du Gua's scandalous
suggestions bore fruit. The Baron du Guenic, familiarly called
"l'Intime," who by rank and name had the best right among those
present to treat Montauran familiarly, took the young leader by the
arm and led him apart.
"My dear marquis," he said; "we are much disturbed at seeing you on
the point of committing an amazing folly.
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