She was much moved.
"Do tell me what has taken place," she said.
I gave her full and minute particulars of my interview with Madame de Palme, and, while expressing much regret at my vivacity, I added that the lady's conduct toward me was inexplicable; that she had taken me twice within twenty-four hours for the subject of her wagers, and that it was a great deal too much attention, on her part, for a man who asked her, as a sole favor, not to trouble herself about him any more than he troubled himself about her.
"Mon Dieu!" said the kind marquise, "I have no fault to find with you.

I have been able to appreciate with my own eyes, during the past few days, your conduct and her own.

But all this is very disagreeable.

That child has just thrown herself in my arms weeping terribly.

She says you have treated her like a creature--" I protested: "I have repeated to you, word for word, madam, what passed between us." "It was not your words, it was your expression, your tone.