"
"In saying what?"
"That you were the--"
"Say the word, mistress of--"
"The Marquis de Lenoncourt, the present duke, a friend of mine,"
replied the count.
"Now I can let you go to execution," she said, without seeming at all
agitated by the outspoken reply of the count, who was amazed at the
real or pretended indifference with which she heard his statement.
"However," she added, laughing, "you have not wronged me more than
that friend of whom you suppose me to have been the--Fie! monsieur le
comte; surely you used to visit my father, the Duc de Verneuil? Yes?
well then--"
Evidently considering Hulot one too many for the confidence she was
about to make, Mademoiselle de Verneuil motioned the count to her
side, and said a few words in her ear. Monsieur de Bauvan gave a low
ejaculation of surprise and looked with bewilderment at Marie, who
completed the effect of her words by leaning against the chimney in
the artless and innocent attitude of a child.
"Mademoiselle," cried the count, "I entreat your forgiveness, unworthy
as I am of it."
"I have nothing to forgive," she replied. "You have no more ground for
repentance than you had for the insolent supposition you proclaimed at
La Vivetiere. But this is a matter beyond your comprehension. Only,
remember this, monsieur le comte, the daughter of the Duc de Verneuil
has too generous a spirit not to take a lively interest in your fate.
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