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Updated: June 8, 2025
Yet, had he and I been alone, I would have pursued him. But the cry rang out again, and, giving no more thought to him, I turned whither Marie Delhasse, come in pursuance of my directions, stood with a hand pointed in questioning at the duke, and the pistol that I had given her fallen from her fingers on the sand. And she swayed to and fro, till I set my arm round her and steadied her.
And while I changed my traveling suit for the livery, I remembered more about Marie Delhasse, and, among other things, that the Duke of Saint-Maclou was rumored to be her most persistent admirer. Some said that she favored him; others denied it with more or less conviction and indignation.
My darling scheme, on which I had prided myself so much, was tripped up by the trifling accident of Jean's absence. What in the world, I asked again, kept the old man from his bed? It suddenly struck me that he might, by the duke's orders, have accompanied Mme. Delhasse back to Avranches, in order to be able to report to his master any news that came to light there.
Just at the entrance stood Marie Delhasse; opposite her was a thickset fellow, neatly dressed and wearing mutton-chop whiskers. As I came out I raised my hat. The man appeared not to notice me, though his eyes fell on me for a moment.
True, I should miss Marie Delhasse. Well, young men are foolish. "Perhaps," said I to myself with a sigh, "it's just as well."
I fully expected that an outburst of anger would follow on this pleasantry of mine which was, I confess, rather in the taste best suited to Mme. Delhasse than in the best as judged by an abstract standard but to my surprise the old creature did nothing worse than bestow on me a sour grin. Apparently, if I were well-pleased with the last half-hour, she had found time pass no less pleasantly.
I rang my bell very forcibly again: the action was a welcome vent for my temper. Turning back to the window, I found the carriage still there. A second or two later, Mme. Delhasse, attended by the waiter who ought to have been looking after me, came out of the hotel and got into the carriage. She spoke to the waiter, and appeared to give him money. He bowed and closed the door.
I stifled a yawn; one smoke and then to the bed was my programme. Marie Delhasse turned her head half-round. "You must not," said she, "let me prevent you having your cigarette. I should set you at ease by going to bed, but I can't sleep so early, and upstairs the fire is not lighted." I thanked her and approached the fire. She was gazing into it meditatively. Presently she looked up.
She got in unassisted, and Gustave followed her. They were about to move off, when suddenly, running from the house in wild dismay, came Marie Delhasse, and caring for none of those who stood round, she seized my arm, crying: "My mother is neither in the sitting room nor in her bedroom! Where is she?" Now I saw no need to tell Marie at that time what had become of Mme. Delhasse.
"I want him to help when Mme. and Mlle. Delhasse are here." On the words the duchess went red in the face, and then white, and sprang up, declaring aloud in resolute, angry tones, that witnessed the depth of her feelings in the matter: "I will not receive Mlle. Delhasse!" I was glad I had not missed that: it was a new aspect of my little friend the duchess.
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