Had the knowledge of her recent humiliation been too much for her?
She was speaking to him.

"Monsieur, will you walk with me in the park?
I am faint." "Are you ill, countess ?" asked Madame, coming up and placing her hand under the soft round chin of the other and striving to read her eyes.
"Not so ill, Madame, that a breath of fresh air will not revive me." When they had gained the park, the countess said to Maurice: "Monsieur, I have brought you here to tell you something.

I fear that your friend is lost, for you can do nothing." "Not even if I break my word ?" he asked.
"It would do no good." "Why ?" "It is too late," lowly.

"I have been Madame's understudy too long not to read.

Forgive me.