Catherine entered to announce dinner.

Laurence took Monsieur d'Hauteserre's arm, smiling for a moment at the necessity she thus forced upon her cousins to offer an arm to Madame d'Hauteserre, who, according to agreement, was now to be the arbiter of their fate.
The Marquis de Simeuse took in Madame d'Hauteserre.

The situation was so momentous that after the Benedicite was said Laurence and the young men trembled from the violent palpitation of their hearts.

Madame d'Hauteserre, who carved, was struck by the anxiety on the faces of the Simeuse brothers and the great alteration that was noticeable in Laurence's lamb-like features.
"Something extraordinary is going on, I am sure of it!" she exclaimed, looking at all of them.
"To whom are you speaking ?" asked Laurence.
"To all of you," said the old lady.
"As for me, mother," said Robert, "I am frightfully hungry, and that is not extraordinary." Madame d'Hauteserre, still troubled, offered the Marquis de Simeuse a plate intended for his brother.
"I am like your mother," she said.

"I don't know you apart even by your cravats.