You, who no doubt understand a woman's mind--" "Set out upon no such presumption, madame," he interrupted.

"I know as little of a woman's mind as any man who thinks he knows a deal--and that is nothing." She laughed as at an excellent jest, and Marius, overhearing Garnache's retort as he was returning to resume his seat, joined in her laugh.
"Paris is a fine whetstone for a man's wits," said he.
Garnache shrugged his shoulders.
"I take it, madame, that you wish me to understand that Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye, repenting of her letter, desires no longer to repair to Paris; desires, in fact, to remain here at Condillac in your excellent care." "You apprehend the position exactly, monsieur." "To my mind," said he, "it presents few features difficult of apprehension." Marius's eyes flashed his mother a look of relief; but the Marquise, who had an ear more finely trained, caught the vibration of a second meaning in the emissary's words.
"All being as you say, madame," he continued, "will you tell me why, instead of some message to this purport, you sent Monsieur de Tressan back to me with a girl taken from some kitchen or barnyard, whom it was sought to pass off upon me as Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye ?" The Marquise laughed, and her son, who had shown signs of perturbation, taking his cue from her, laughed too.
"It was a jest, monsieur"-- she told him, miserably conscious that the explanation could sound no lamer.
"My compliments, madame, upon the humour that prevails in Dauphiny.

But your jest failed of its purpose.

It did not amuse me, nor, so far as I could discern, was Monsieur de Tressan greatly taken with it.

But all this is of little moment, madame," he continued.