She saw many a glance of dislike cast upon her; but a more severe blow awaited her, for on her arrival at the Chateau de Mussidan, to which she was driven directly after the ceremony, the first person she met was Montlouis, who came forward to welcome her.

Bold and self-possessed as she was, the slight of this man startled her, and a bright flush passed across her face.

Fortunately Montlouis had had time to prepare himself for this meeting, and his face showed no token of recognition.

But though his salutation was of the most respectful description, Madame de Mussidan thought she saw in his eyes that ironical expression of contempt which she had more than once seen in Daumon's face.
"That man must not, shall not, stay here," she murmured to herself.
It was easy enough for her to ask her husband to dismiss Montlouis from his employ, but it was a dangerous step to take; and her easiest course was to defer the dismissal of the secretary until some really good pretext offered itself.

Nor was this pretext long in presenting itself; for Octave was by no means satisfied with the young man's conduct.
Montlouis who had been full of zeal while in Paris, had renewed his _liaison_, on his return to Mussidan, with the girl with whom he had been formerly entangled at Poitiers.