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"Well, the great day is over. You are both married. You don't belong to me any longer. How I shall miss you! This morning I had two children, and now " "You have four," interrupted Micheline. "Why do you complain?" "I don't complain," retorted Madame Desvarennes, quickly. "That's right!" said Micheline, gayly. Then going toward Jeanne: "But you are not speaking, you are so quiet; are you ill?"
A few steps from them was a group, consisting of Cayrol, Madame Desvarennes, and a third person, who had never until then put his foot in the house, in spite of intercessions in his favor made by the banker to Madame Desvarennes.
What contributed especially to make her feel secure was Jeanne's absence. If the young woman had been near Serge, Madame Desvarennes might have trembled. But Micheline's beautiful rival was far away, and Serge seemed very much in love with his wife. Everything was for the best. The formidable projects which Madame Desvarennes had formed in the heat of her passion had not been earned out.
Micheline looked astonished at Madame Desvarennes, and in a quiet voice replied: "A good host may not win from his guests; it would look as if he invited them to rob them. Losses at cards are included in the costs of a reception." Madame Desvarennes thought that her daughter had become a very grand lady, and had soon acquired expanded ideas. But she dared not say anything more.
The tussle lasted about an hour, when the door reopened and Madame Desvarennes appeared, pale and still trembling, but calmed. Micheline, wiping her beautiful eyes, still wet with tears, regained her apartment. "Well," said Cayrol timidly, seeing the mistress standing silent and absorbed before him; "I see with pleasure that you are less agitated. Did Mademoiselle Micheline give you good reasons?"
In your place I would rather make a few advances than remain hostile toward Madame Desvarennes. That would mend matters, you see. Flies are not to be caught with vinegar." Serge looked contemptuously at Cayrol, and put on his hat with supreme insolence. "Pardon me, my dear fellow; as a banker you are excellent when you have any money to spare, but as a moralist you are highly ridiculous."
He passed over to the side of the newcomer with arms and baggage, and placed himself entirely at his disposal. It was he who three weeks before, in the name of Panine, had made overtures to Madame Desvarennes. The errand had been difficult, and the banker had turned his tongue several times in his mouth before speaking. Still, Cayrol could overcome all difficulties.
Without speaking of projects which I had formed, I may say that my daughter has had offers from the best folks in Paris; from first-rate firms! Our circle was rather indignant. "People said: 'Oh, Madame Desvarennes wanted her daughter to be a Princess. We shall see how it will turn out. Her son-in-law will spend her money and spurn her. The gossip of disappointed people.
She uttered a joyful cry, and threw her arms caressingly round her mother's neck. "Well! you are agreed?" she said, making a gracious sign to Serge. "He has been charming," replied Madame Desvarennes, whispering in her daughter's ear. "He agrees to live in this house, and that quite gracefully. There, child, this is the happiest moment I've had since your engagement.
"If you knew, my dear aunt, how surprised I am to see you here," he exclaimed in his hypocritical way. "Not more so than I am to find myself here," said she, with a smile. "But, bah! I have slipped my traces for a week." "And what are you going to do here?" continued Savinien. "What everybody does. By-the-bye, what do they do?" asked Madame Desvarennes, with vivacity.
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