supper in company
with the marchioness, a loud knocking was heard at the gate of the
chateau, to which they paid no great attention. This was followed by the
appearance of a courier who had come post haste from Paris; he entered
the courtyard with a letter from the Count de Saint-Geran for M. the
marquis; he was announced and introduced, followed by nearly all the
household. The marquis asked the meaning of all this, and dismissed all
the following with a wave of the hand; but the courier explained that M.
the count desired that the letter in his hands should be read before
everyone. The marquis opened it without replying, glanced over it, and
read it out loud without the slightest alteration: the count announced to
his good relations and to all his household that the countess had
indicated positive symptoms of pregnancy; that hardly had she arrived in
Paris when she suffered from fainting fits, nausea, retching, that she
bore with joy these premonitory indications, which were no longer a
matter of doubt to the physicians, nor to anyone; that for his part he
was overwhelmed with joy at this event, which was the crowning stroke to
all his wishes; that he desired the chateau to share his satisfaction by
indulging in all kinds of gaieties; and that so far as other matters were
concerned they could remain as they were till the return of himself and
the countess, which the letter would precede only a few days, as he was
going to transport her in a litter for greater safety. Then followed the
specification of certain sums of money to be distributed among the
servants.

The servants uttered cries of joy; the marquis and marchioness exchanged
a look, but a very troublous one; they, however, restrained themselves so
far as to simulate a great satisfaction, and the marquis brought himself
to congratulate the servants on their attachment to their master and
mistress. After this they were left alone, looking very serious, while
crackers exploded and violins resounded under the windows. For some time
they preserved silence, the first thought which occurred to both being
that the count and countess had allowed themselves to be deceived by
trifling symptoms, that people had wished to flatter their hopes, that it
was impossible for a constitution to change so suddenly after twenty
years, and that it was a case of simulative pregnancy. This opinion
gaining strength in their minds made them somewhat calmer.

The next day they too