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.

Camors was the first to come to the rescue, and taking his hand, said:  “Accept, my dear General, my congratulations.  I am extremely happy, and rejoice at your good fortune; the more so, as I feel the lady is so well worthy of you.”  Then, bowing to Mademoiselle d’Estrelles with a grave grace, he pressed her hand, and turning away, was struck dumb at seeing Madame de la Roche-Jugan in the arms of the General.  She passed from his into those of Mademoiselle d’Estrelles, who feared at first, from the violence of the caresses, that there was a secret design to strangle her.

“General,” said Madame de la Roche-Jugan in a plaintive voice, “you remember I always recommended her to you.  I always spoke well of her.  She is my daughter—­my second child.  Sigismund, embrace your sister!  You permit it, General?  Ah, we never know how much we love these children until we lose them!  I always spoke well of her; did I not—­Ge—­General?” And here Madame de la Roche-Jugan burst into tears.