This was hard upon the lady, as her own table-napkin and a cup out of which she was wont to drink were placed at that spot.

Marie, standing at the soup-tureen, heard it all and became very spiteful.

Then her uncle called to her: 'Marie, my dear, are you not coming ?' 'Presently, uncle,' replied Marie, in a clear voice, as she commenced to dispense the soup.
She ladled out all the soup without once turning her face towards the company, then stood for a few moments as if in doubt, and after that walked boldly up to her place.

She had intended to sit next to her uncle, opposite to her lover, and there had been her chair.

But Michel had insisted on bringing the old lady round to the seat that Marie had intended for herself, and so had disarranged all her plans.