Why, he's lunching at Rennes to-day with the Minister, with the sole object of getting Jacques decorated." "Well; the Legion of Honour is a fine thing to have," said Marie.
"My dear! The Legion of Honour is all very well for middle-class people, but it's quite out of place for a duke!" cried Germaine.
Alfred came in, bearing the tea-tray, and set it on a little table near that at which Sonia was sitting.
Germaine, who was feeling too important to sit still, was walking up and down the room.

Suddenly she stopped short, and pointing to a silver statuette which stood on the piano, she said, "What's this?
Why is this statuette here ?" "Why, when we came in, it was on the cabinet, in its usual place," said Sonia in some astonishment.
"Did you come into the hall while we were out in the garden, Alfred ?" said Germaine to the footman.
"No, miss," said Alfred.
"But some one must have come into it," Germaine persisted.
"I've not heard any one.

I was in my pantry," said Alfred.
"It's very odd," said Germaine.
"It is odd," said Sonia.

"Statuettes don't move about of themselves." All of them stared at the statuette as if they expected it to move again forthwith, under their very eyes.

Then Alfred put it back in its usual place on one of the cabinets, and went out of the room.
Sonia poured out the tea; and over it they babbled about the coming marriage, the frocks they would wear at it, and the presents Germaine had already received.