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Updated: June 11, 2025
The well-known saying of the vicar's old housekeeper, "We don't say masses at that price," would pass without comment in Champagne. At last came Sallenauve. I was struck with the ease and quiet dignity of his manner. That is a very reassuring pledge, madame, of his conduct under more trying circumstances; for when a man rises to speak it makes but little difference who and what his audience are.
"There are not two ways to be followed as to that," said Madame de l'Estorade. "Monsieur de Sallenauve must never set foot in this house again." "That is precisely what I came to speak about to-day. Do you know that last night I did not think you showed the composure which is so marked a trait in your character?" "When?" asked Madame de l'Estorade.
I wish I could give you an idea, madame, of the tone and expression of Sallenauve as he uttered this anathema. You know how his face is transfigured when an ardent thought comes into his mind. The assemblage was mute and gloomy. Evidently he had wounded their sensibilities; but, under the curb of his powerful hand, it dared not throw up its head.
Well, the likeness must be striking, for after dinner, while we were taking our coffee, the worthy Goussard, whose head was a little warmed by the fumes of wine, came up to Sallenauve and asked him whether he was certain he had made no mistake about his father, and could honestly declare that Danton had nothing to do with his making. Sallenauve took the matter gaily, and answered arithmetically,
"She puts nothing in the world," continued Madame de l'Estorade, "before her gratitude to her preserver, whereas her father and I have scarcely shown him any." "But, madame," said Sallenauve, "you have courteously " "Courteously!" interrupted Nais, shaking her pretty head with an air of disapproval; "if any one had saved my daughter, I should be different to him from that."
"That woman is not free; she has a husband and children, and though you did make a saint of her, I presume to say, ridiculous as it may seem, that she is not worth me!" Sallenauve could not help smiling, but he answered very seriously, "You are totally mistaken as to your rival.
Under an appearance of resignation, he was gloomy, and, singular to say, he had not visited the grave of his wife, as if he feared an emotion he might not have the power to master. It seemed to Sallenauve that his friend had come to the end of his strength, and that a mental prostration of the worst character was succeeding the over-excitement he had shown at his election.
"I have recently been elected to our Chamber of deputies," said Sallenauve, "and I ought to be in my seat at the opening of the session; in fact, my interests are seriously concerned, and my friend Monsieur Bricheteau has come over to fetch me. If therefore I can be sure that my presence here is not essential " "By all means go," said the doctor.
Aware of the antecedents of that man, Monsieur de Sallenauve expressed himself as much surprised to find a functionary with extremely good manners and bearing; but he held out faint hope of success. "A woman hiding in Paris," he said, "is an eel in its safest hole." As he was taking leave, Madame de l'Estorade said to him, "Do not forget Nais' ball which takes place the day after to-morrow.
Sallenauve was not mistaken in feeling serious anxiety as to the mental state of his friend Marie-Gaston. When that unfortunate man had left the scene of his cruel loss immediately after the death of his wife, he would have done a wiser thing had he then resolved never to revisit it.
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