"I am going to Saint-James, to a ball the Chouans give to-morrow
night, and--"
"But," said Corentin, interrupting her, "that is fifteen miles
distant; had I not better accompany you?"
"You think a great deal too much of something I never think of at
all," she replied, "and that is yourself."
Marie's contempt for Corentin was extremely pleasing to Hulot, who
made his well-known grimace as she turned away in the direction of her
own house. Corentin followed her with his eyes, letting his face
express a consciousness of the fatal power he knew he could exercise
over the charming creature, by working upon the passions which sooner
or later, he believed, would give her to him.
As soon as Mademoiselle de Verneuil reached home she began to
deliberate on her ball-dress. Francine, accustomed to obey without
understanding her mistress's motives, opened the trunks, and suggested
a Greek costume. The Republican fashions of those days were all Greek
in style. Marie chose one which could be put in a box that was easy to
carry.
"Francine, my dear, I am going on an excursion into the country; do
you want to go with me, or will you stay behind?"
"Stay behind!" exclaimed Francine; "then who would dress you?"
"Where have you put that glove I gave you this morning?"
"Here it is."
"Sew this green ribbon into it, and, above all, take plenty of money.
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