She resigned herself even to this; but she desired to defer as long as possible the pain of such a meeting.  Her health supplied her with a natural excuse for not going, during that summer, to Campvallon, and also for keeping herself confined to her own room the day the Marquise visited Reuilly, accompanied by the General.

Madame de Tecle received her with her usual kindness.  Madame de Campvallon, whom M. de Camors had already warned, did not trouble herself much; for the best women, like the worst, excel in comedy, and everything passed off without the General having conceived the shadow of a suspicion.

The fine season had passed.  M. de Camors had visited the country several times, strengthening at every interview the new tone of his relations with his wife.  He remained at Reuilly, as was his custom, during the month of August; and under the pretext of the health of the Countess, did not multiply his visits that year to Campvallon.  On his return to Paris, he resumed his old habits, and also his careless egotism, for he recovered little by little from the blow he had received.  He began to forget his sufferings and those of his wife; and even to felicitate himself secretly on the turn that chance had given to her situation.  He had obtained the advantage and had no longer any annoyance.  His wife had been enlightened, and he no longer deceived her—­which was a comfortable thing for him.  As for her, she would soon be a mother, she would have a plaything, a consolation; and he designed redoubling his attentions and regards to her.

She would be happy, or nearly so; as much so as two thirds of the women in the world.

Everything was for the best.  He gave anew the reins to his car and launched himself afresh on his brilliant career-proud of his royal mistress, and foreseeing in the distance, to crown his life, the triumphs of ambition and power.  Pleading various doubtful engagements, he went to Reuilly only once during the autumn; but he wrote frequently, and Madame de Tecle sent him in return brief accounts of his wife’s health.

One morning toward the close of November, he received a despatch which made him understand, in telegraphic style, that his presence was immediately required at Reuilly, if he wished to be present at the birth of his son.

Whenever social duties or courtesy were required of M. de Camors, he never hesitated.  Seeing he had not a moment to spare if he wished to catch the train which left that morning, he jumped into a cab and drove to the station.  His servant would join him the next morning.