She spoke with animation, as usual, and with the gestures of a man.

She placed herself before her secretary, seeming to appeal to him as a witness of her being in the right.

During the hour with the official personage she had been obliged to contain herself.

She unburdened herself to Marechal, saying just what she thought.
But all at once she perceived Savinien, who was waiting to show himself now that she had finished.

The mistress turned sharply to the young man, and frowned slightly: "Hallo! you are there, eh?
How is it that you could leave your fair friends ?" "But, aunt, I came to pay you my respects." "No nonsense now; I've no time," interrupted the mistress.