He did not keep me long.
"She is my wife's sister," he continued grimly.

"But I have no reason to shield her on that account! Shield her?
Had you lived at court only a month I might shield her all I could, M.de Caylus, it would avail nothing.

Not Madame de Sauves is better known.

And I would not if I could! I know well, though my wife will not believe it, that there is nothing so near Madame d'O's heart as to get rid of her sister and me--of both of us--that she may succeed to Madeleine's inheritance! Oh, yes, I had good grounds for being nervous yesterday, when my wife did not return," he added excitedly.
"But there at least you wrong Madame d'O!" I cried, shocked and horrified by an accusation, which seemed so much more dreadful in the silence and gloom--and withal so much less preposterous than it might have seemed in the daylight.

"There you certainly wrong her! For shame! M.de Pavannes." He came a step nearer, and laying a hand on my sleeve peered into my face.