The treachery was revealed to him by a rival, who played on this occasion the infamous role of Iago.  Campvallon laid aside his starred epaulettes, and in two successive duels, still remembered in Africa, killed on two successive days the guilty one and his betrayer.  His wife died shortly after, and he was left more lonely than ever.  He was not the man to console himself with venal love; a gross remark made him blush; the corps de ballet inspired him with terror.  He did not dare to avow it, but the dream of his old age, with his fierce moustache and his grim countenance, was the devoted love of some young girl, at whose feet he might pour out, without shame, without distrust even, all the tenderness of his simple and heroic heart.

On the evening of the day which had been marked for Camors by these two interesting episodes, Mademoiselle de Luc d’Estrelles did not come down to dinner, but sent word she had a headache.  This message was received with a general murmur, and with some sharp remarks from Madame de la Roche-Jugan, which implied Mademoiselle was not in a position which justified her in having a headache.  The dinner, however, was not less gay than usual, thanks to Mesdames Bacquiere and Van-Cuyp, and to their husbands, who had arrived from Paris to pass Sunday with them.

To celebrate this happy meeting, they drank very freely of champagne, talked slang, and imitated actors, causing much amusement to the servants.  Returning to the drawing-room, these innocent young things thought it very funny to take their husbands’ hats, put their feet in them, and, thus shod, to run a steeplechase across the room.  Meantime Madame de la Roche-Jagan felt the General’s pulse frequently, and found it variable.

Next morning at breakfast all the General’s guests assembled, except Mademoiselle d’Estrelles, whose headache apparently was no better.  They remarked also the absence of the General, who was the embodiment of politeness and punctuality.  A sense of uneasiness was beginning to creep over all, when suddenly the door opened and the General appeared leading Mademoiselle d’Estrelles by the hand.

The young girl’s eyes were red; her face was very pale.  The General’s face was scarlet.  He advanced a few steps, like an actor about to address his audience; cast fierce glances on all sides of him, and cleared his throat with a sound that echoed like the bass notes of a grand piano.  Then he spoke in a voice of thunder: 

“My dear guests and friends, permit me to present to you the Marquise de Campvallon d’Armignes!”

An iceberg at the North Pole is not colder than was the General’s salon at this announcement.

He held the young lady by the hand, and retaining his position in the centre of the room, launched out fierce glances.  Then his eyes began to wander and roll convulsively in their sockets, as if he was himself astonished at the effect his announcement had produced.