Then she went up to her mother, who sat in her deep
chair by the fire, looking at Madame de Cintre almost fiercely. With her
back turned to the others, Madame de Cintre held her cloak apart to show
her dress.
"What do you think of me?" she asked.
"I think you are audacious," said the marquise. "It was but three days
ago, when I asked you, as a particular favor to myself, to go to the
Duchess de Lusignan's, that you told me you were going nowhere and
that one must be consistent. Is this your consistency? Why should you
distinguish Madame Robineau? Who is it you wish to please to-night?"
"I wish to please myself, dear mother," said Madame de Cintre. And she
bent over and kissed the old lady.
"I don't like surprises, my sister," said Urbain de Bellegarde;
"especially when one is on the point of entering a drawing-room."
Newman at this juncture felt inspired to speak. "Oh, if you are going
into a room with Madame de Cintre, you needn't be afraid of being
noticed yourself!"
M. de Bellegarde turned to his sister with a smile too intense to be
easy. "I hope you appreciate a compliment that is paid you at your
brother's expense," he said. "Come, come, madame." And offering Madame
de Cintre his arm he led her rapidly out of the room. Valentin rendered
the same service to young Madame de Bellegarde, who had apparently been
reflecting on the fact that the ball dress of her sister-in-law was
much less brilliant than her own, and yet had failed to derive absolute
comfort from the reflection.
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