The most subtle observer would have supposed that Mlle. Blanche was experiencing the keenest emotion.  One would have sworn that it was only by intense effort that she succeeded in restraining her tears—­that they were even trembling behind her long lashes.

The truth was, that she was thinking only of discovering, upon Martial’s face, some indication of his feelings.  But now that he was on guard, his features might have been marble for any sign of emotion they betrayed.  So she continued: 

“’I should utter an untruth if I said that I have not suffered on account of this sudden change.  But I have courage; I shall learn how to submit.  I shall, I hope, have strength to forget, for I must forget!  The remembrances of past felicity would render my present misery intolerable.’”

Mlle. de Courtornieu suddenly folded up the letter.

“You have heard it, Monsieur,” said she.  “Can you understand such pride as that?  And they accuse us, daughters of the nobility, of being proud!”

Martial made no response.  He felt that his altered voice would betray him.  How much more would he have been moved, if he had been allowed to read the concluding lines: 

“One must live, my dear Blanche!” added Marie-Anne, “and I feel no false shame in asking you to aid me.  I sew very nicely, as you know, and I could earn my livelihood by embroidery if I knew more people.  I will call to-day at Courtornieu to ask you to give me a list of ladies to whom I can present myself on your recommendation.”

But Mlle. de Courtornieu had taken good care not to allude to the touching request.  She had read the letter to Martial as a test.  She had not succeeded; so much the worse.  She rose and accepted his arm to return to the house.

She seemed to have forgotten her friend, and she was chatting gayly.  When they approached the chateau, she was interrupted by a sound of voices raised to the highest pitch.

It was the address to the King which was agitating the council convened in M. de Courtornieu’s cabinet.

Mlle. Blanche paused.

“I am trespassing upon your kindness, Monsieur.  I am boring you with my silly chat when you should undoubtedly be up there.”

“Certainly not,” he replied, laughing.  “What should I do there?  The role of men of action does not begin until the orators have concluded.”

He spoke so energetically, in spite of his jesting tone, that Mlle. de Courtornieu was fascinated.  She saw before her, she believed, a man who, as her father had said, would rise to the highest position in the political world.

Unfortunately, her admiration was disturbed by a ring of the great bell that always announces visitors.

She trembled, let go her hold on Martial’s arm, and said, very earnestly: 

“Ah, no matter.  I wish very much to know what is going on up there.  If I ask my father, he will laugh at my curiosity, while you, Monsieur, if you are present at the conference, you will tell me all.”