and the Marquis
de Valorsay in earnest conversation in the hall below; the marquis as
phlegmatic and as haughty as usual, but the house-keeper fairly excited.
Marguerite at once understood that as Madame Leon knew that the marquis
was among the funeral guests, she had gone to warn him of Madame
de Fondege's presence. This trivial circumstance proved that M. de
Fondege's interests were opposed to those of M. de Valorsay; that they
must, therefore, hate each other, and that, with a little patience and
skill, she might utilize them, one against the other. It also proved
that Madame Leon was the Marquis de Valorsay's paid spy and that he must
therefore have long been aware of Pascal's existence. But she lacked the
time to follow out this train of thought. Her absence might awaken the
Fondeges' suspicions; and her success depended on letting them suppose
that she was their dupe. She therefore returned to them as soon as
possible, excusing herself for her abrupt departure as well as she
could; but she was not accustomed to deceive, and her embarrassment
might have betrayed her had it not been for the General, who fortunately
interrupted her by saying: "I, too, must excuse myself, my dear child;
but Madame de Fondege will remain with you. I must fulfil a sacred
duty. They are waiting for me downstairs, and they are no doubt becoming
impatient. It is the first time in my life that I was ever behind time."

The General was right in losing no more time. At least a hundred and
fifty guests had assembled in the reception-rooms on the ground floor,
and they were beginning to think it very strange that they should be
kept waiting in this style. And yet curiosity somewhat tempered their
impatience. Some of the strange circumstances attending the count's
death had been noised abroad; and some well-informed persons declared
that a fabulous sum of money had been stolen by a young girl. It
is true, they did not think this embezzlement a positive crime. It
certainly proved that the young lady in question possessed a strong and
determined character; and many of the proudest among the guests would
gladly have taken the place of De Valorsay, who, it was rumored, was
about to marry the pretty thief and her millions.

The person who was most disturbed by the delay was the master of the
ceremonies. Arrayed in his best uniform, his thin legs encased in black
silk stockings, his mantle thrown gracefully over his shoulders, and his
cocked hat und