Yes, your loss is as keenly felt here as in your own home,--more so," he added, alluding to du Bousquier.
After a few more words of funeral oration, in which all present spoke from the heart, the chevalier took Madame du Bousquier's arm, and, gallantly placing it within his own, pressed it adoringly as he led her to the recess of a window.
"Are you happy ?" he said in a fatherly voice.
"Yes," she said, dropping her eyes.
Hearing that "Yes," Madame de Troisville, the daughter of the Princess Scherbellof, and the old Marquise de Casteran came up and joined the chevalier, together with Mademoiselle Armande.

They all went to walk in the garden until dinner was served, without any perception on the part of Madame du Bousquier that a little conspiracy was afoot.

"We have her! now let us find out the secret of the case," were the words written in the eyes of all present.
"To make your happiness complete," said Mademoiselle Armande, "you ought to have children,--a fine lad like my nephew--" Tears seemed to start in Madame du Bousquier's eyes.
"I have heard it said that you were the one to blame in the matter, and that you feared the dangers of a pregnancy," said the chevalier.
"I!" she said artlessly.

"I would buy a child with a hundred years of purgatory if I could." On the question thus started a discussion arose, conducted by Madame de Troisville and the old Marquise de Casteran with such delicacy and adroitness that the poor victim revealed, without being aware of it, the secrets of her house.

Mademoiselle Armande had taken the chevalier's arm, and walked away so as to leave the three women free to discuss wedlock.