At dessert she heard, not without emotions of delight, certain sounds in the antechamber and salon which denoted the arrival of her usual guests.  She called the attention of her uncle and Monsieur de Troisville to this prompt attendance as a proof of the affection that was felt for her; whereas it was really the result of the poignant curiosity which had seized upon the town.  Impatient to show herself in all her glory, Mademoiselle Cormon told Jacquelin to serve coffee and liqueurs in the salon, where he presently set out, in view of the whole company, a magnificent liqueur-stand of Dresden china which saw the light only twice a year.  This circumstance was taken note of by the company, standing ready to gossip over the merest trifle:—­

“The deuce!” muttered du Bousquier.  “Actually Madame Amphoux’s liqueurs, which they only serve at the four church festivals!”

“Undoubtedly the marriage was arranged a year ago by letter,” said the chief-justice du Ronceret.  “The postmaster tells me his office has received letters postmarked Odessa for more than a year.”

Madame Granson trembled.  The Chevalier de Valois, though he had dined with the appetite of four men, turned pale even to the left section of his face.  Feeling that he was about to betray himself, he said hastily,—­

“Don’t you think it is very cold to-day?  I am almost frozen.”

“The neighborhood of Russia, perhaps,” said du Bousquier.

The chevalier looked at him as if to say, “Well played!”

Mademoiselle Cormon appeared so radiant, so triumphant, that the company thought her handsome.  This extraordinary brilliancy was not the effect of sentiment only.  Since early morning her blood had been whirling tempestuously within her, and her nerves were agitated by the presentiment of some great crisis.  It required all these circumstances combined to make her so unlike herself.  With what joy did she now make her solemn presentation of the viscount to the chevalier, the chevalier to the viscount, and all Alencon to Monsieur de Troisville, and Monsieur de Troisville to all Alencon!

By an accident wholly explainable, the viscount and chevalier, aristocrats by nature, came instantly into unison; they recognized each other at once as men belonging to the same sphere.  Accordingly, they began to converse together, standing before the fireplace.  A circle formed around them; and their conversation, though uttered in a low voice, was listened to in religious silence.  To give the effect of this scene it is necessary to dramatize it, and to picture Mademoiselle Cormon occupied in pouring out the coffee of her imaginary suitor, with her back to the fireplace.

Monsieur de Valois.  “Monsieur le vicomte has come, I am told, to settle in Alencon?”

Monsieur de Troisville.  “Yes, monsieur, I am looking for a house.” [Mademoiselle Cormon, cup in hand, turns round.] “It must be a large house” [Mademoiselle Cormon offers him the cup] “to lodge my whole family.” [The eyes of the old maid are troubled.]