Returning to the drawing-room, these innocent young things thought it very funny to take their husbands' hats, put their feet in them, and, thus shod, to run a steeplechase across the room.

Meantime Madame de la Roche-Jagan felt the General's pulse frequently, and found it variable.
Next morning at breakfast all the General's guests assembled, except Mademoiselle d'Estrelles, whose headache apparently was no better.

They remarked also the absence of the General, who was the embodiment of politeness and punctuality.

A sense of uneasiness was beginning to creep over all, when suddenly the door opened and the General appeared leading Mademoiselle d'Estrelles by the hand.
The young girl's eyes were red; her face was very pale.

The General's face was scarlet.