I would hear what the duchess wanted of me; then I would go, leaving Lafleur to grapple with his increased labors as best he could.

True, I should miss Marie Delhasse.

Well, young men are foolish.
"Perhaps," said I to myself with a sigh, "it's just as well." I did not wait at table that night; the duchess was shut up in her own apartment: the duke took nothing but an omelette and a cup of coffee; these finished, he summoned Suzanne and her assistants to attend him on the bedroom floor, and I heard him giving directions for the lodging of the expected guests.

Apparently they were to be received, although the duchess would not receive them.

Not knowing what to make of that situation, I walked out into the garden and lit my pipe; I had clung to that in spite of my change of raiment.
Presently Suzanne looked out.