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Updated: July 22, 2025
Madame de Nailles, whether she knew it or not probably she did, for she had great skill in reading the thoughts of others was acting precisely in accordance with the wishes or the will of Jacqueline, who, having found much enjoyment in the dances at the Casino, had made up her mind that she meant to come out into society before any of her young companions.
"Saint Clotilde's day-my fete-day is still far off," said Madame de Nailles, refastening, mother-like, the ribbon that was intended to keep in order the rough ripples of Jacqueline's unruly hair, "and usually your whisperings begin as the day approaches my fete." "Oh, dear! you will go and guess it!" cried Jacqueline in alarm. "Oh! don't guess it, please." "Well!
Madame de Nailles sprang back a step or two, stretching out her arms as if repelling an apparition, her face was distorted, her head was turned away; then she dropped into the nearest seat and burst into tears. "Mamma! dear little mamma! what is it?" cried Jacqueline, springing forward to kiss her. Madame de Nailles disengaged herself angrily from her embrace.
"When I think of the pains my poor cousin de Nailles took to impress upon us all that he was making what is called a 'mariage raisonnable'! Well, if a man wants a wife who is going to set up her own notions, her own customs, he had better marry a poor girl without fortune! This one will simply ruin him.
Giselle, in consternation, asked herself whether this strange girl, who did not care for children, could be a proper wife for Fred; but her habitual indulgence came to her aid, and she thought: "She is but a child herself, she does not know what she is saying," and profiting by her first tete-a-tete with Jacqueline's stepmother, she spoke as she had promised to Madame de Nailles.
Jacqueline had known him all her life, and for her he had always his beautiful smile. He had petted her when she was little, and had been much amused by the sort of adoration she had no hesitation in showing that she felt for him. He used to call her Mademoiselle ma femme, and M. de Nailles would speak of him as "my daughter's future husband."
After all, M. de Nailles himself had given her her orders. She was to accompany Jacqueline, and do her crochet-work in one corner of the studio as long as the sitting lasted. All she could do was to obey. "And above all not a word to mamma, whatever she may ask you," said Jacqueline. And her father added, with a laugh, "Not a word." Fraulein Schult felt that she knew what was expected of her.
These girls were not the only persons that day at the reception who indulged in a little ill-natured talk after going away. Mesdames d'Argy and de Monredon, on their way to the Faubourg St. Germain, criticised Madame de Nailles pretty freely.
There, now! suppose, instead of quarrelling with me, you were to go and cast yourself into the arms of your cousin Fred." "Fred! Fred d'Argy! Fred is at Brest." "Where are your eyes, my dear child? He has just come in with his mother." And at that moment Madame de Nailles, with her pure, clear voice a voice frequently compared to that of Mademoiselle Reichemberg, called: "Jacqueline!"
All those who, having for years dined and danced under the roof of the Nailles, were accounted their friends by society, formed themselves into two parties, one of which lauded to the skies the dignity and resignation of the Baroness, while the other admired the force of character in Jacqueline.
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