The selfish man put on self-abnegation;
the man who thought chiefly of others took refuge on the Aventinus of
pride. That phenomenon is often seen in political life. Men frequently
turn their characters wrong side out, and it sometimes happens that
the public is unable to tell which is the right side.
After dinner the two friends heard of the arrival of the grand
equerry, who was presented at the Chalet the same evening by
Latournelle. Mademoiselle d'Herouville had contrived to wound that
worthy man by sending a footmen to tell him to come to her, instead of
sending her nephew in person; thus depriving the notary of a
distinguished visit he would certainly have talked about for the rest
of his natural life. So Latournelle curtly informed the grand equerry,
when he proposed to drive him to the Chalet, that he was engaged to
take Madame Latournelle. Guessing from the little man's sulky manner
that there was some blunder to repair, the duke said graciously:--
"Then I shall have the pleasure, if you will allow me, of taking
Madame Latournelle also."
Disregarding Mademoiselle d'Herouville's haughty shrug, the duke left
the room with the notary.
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