And yet the comic element was not
altogether wanting. Modeste found herself between the depreciatory
hints of Canalis as to the gallantry of the grand equerry, and the
exaggerations of the two Mesdemoiselles d'Herouville, who passed every
evening at the villa. Canalis made Modeste take notice that, instead
of being the heroine of the hunt, she would be scarcely noticed.
_Madame_ would be attended by the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse,
daughter-in-law of the Prince de Cadignan, by the Duchesse de Chaulieu,
and other great ladies of the Court, among whom she could produce no
sensation; no doubt the officers in garrison at Rouen would be invited,
etc. Helene, on the other hand, was incessantly telling her new friend,
whom she already looked upon as a sister-in-law, that she was to be
presented to _Madame_; undoubtedly the Duc de Verneuil would invite her
father and herself to stay at Rosembray; if the colonel wished to
obtain a favor of the king,--a peerage, for instance,--the opportunity
was unique, for there was hope of the king himself being present on
the third day; she would be delighted with the charming welcome with
which the beauties of the Court, the Duchesses de Chaulieu, de
Maufrigneuse, de Lenoncourt-Chaulieu, and other ladies, were prepared
to meet her.
Pages:
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407