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Updated: May 16, 2025
She went on, and as she reached the door of the stair leading to her mother's rooms, she heard a light tap from without. Greatly astonished, she opened the door, and suddenly drew back, uttering an exclamation. A woman, thickly veiled, stood before her. At the sight of Micheline the stranger seemed inclined to turn and fly.
Why did I not obey my instinct?" And she began walking about like a lioness in a cage. Then, suddenly stopping and placing herself before Jeanne, she continued: "You must help me to save Micheline!" She thought only of her own flesh and blood. Without hesitation, unconsciously, she abandoned the other the child of adoption. She claimed the safety of her daughter as a debt.
With a mischievous wink, Serge called Madame Desvarennes's attention to the mayor's solemn appearance as he was galloping with Micheline, also the comical positions of the rustics. Micheline was smiling. She was enjoying herself. All this homely gayety, of which she was the cause, made her feel happy. She enjoyed the pleasure of those around her.
Cayrol had taken refuge there with Jeanne, and Mademoiselle Susanne Herzog. This young girl felt uncomfortable at being a third party with the newly-married couple, and welcomed the arrival of the Prince and Micheline with pleasure. Her father had left her for a moment in Cayrol's care; but she had not seen him for more than an hour.
Jeanne hesitated a moment. Then, boldly and impudently, defying and almost threatening the legitimate wife: "Well, yes, I wish to! Enough of dissimulation! I love him!" she exclaimed. Micheline, transfigured by passion, strong, and ready for a struggle, threw herself in Jeanne's way, with arms outstretched, as if to prevent her going to Serge. "Well!" she said; "try to take him from me!"
Micheline was still laughing in the garden. Marechal and Cayrol looked at each other. Cayrol was the first to speak. "The mistress told you all about the matter then? How is it you never spoke to me about it?" "Should I have been worthy of Madame Desvarennes's confidence had I spoken of what she wished to keep secret?" "To me?" "Especially to you.
"I am not easily enticed, as you know," said Jeanne, in a firm voice, trying to smile. Micheline and Madame Desvarennes had drawn near. "Come, Cayrol," said Serge, in a tone of command; "I am happy to-day; perhaps I may succeed in your behalf as I have done in my own. Let me plead your cause with Mademoiselle de Cernay?" "With all my heart.
Just a little fatigue," said Madame Desvarennes. "Marechal, give my daughter your arm, and take her to her carriage. I shall be down in a minute." And holding Jeanne by the hand to prevent her following Micheline, she added: "Stay; I have something to say to you." Jeanne looked surprised. Madame Desvarennes was silent for a moment. She was thinking about Serge coming there that night.
She once thought of breaking off the engagement; as she could not belong to the man whom she adored, at least she could belong to herself. But the thought of the struggle she would have to sustain with those who surrounded her, stopped her. What would she do at Madame Desvarennes's? She would have to witness the happiness of Micheline and Serge. She would rather leave the house.
The group of young men dispersed. The two friends looked at each other. Thus, then, Serge Panine was judged by his companions in pleasure, by the frequenters of the clubs in which he had spent a part of his existence. The Prince being "in the market" was obliged to marry a rich woman. He could not marry Lady Harton, so he had sought Micheline. And the sweet child was the wife of such a man!
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