My husband took me by the hand and led me to the great chamber, where
in an alcove stood the state bed, with green damask hangings fringed
with gold, and in the midst of pillows trimmed with point-lace sat up
Madam la Marquis, her little sallow face, like a bit of old
parchment, in the midst of the snowy linen, and not--to my eyes--
wearing a very friendly aspect.
She had perhaps been hearing of my wilfulness and insubordination,
for she was very grand and formal with me, solemnly calling me Madame
la Vicomtesse, and never her niece, and I thought all the time that I
detected a sneer. If I had wished for my husband's sake to accompany
him, I wished it ten thousand times more when I fully beheld the
alternative.
Ah! I am writing treason. Had I been a well-trained French young
girl I should have accepted my lot naturally, and no doubt all the
family infinitely regretted that their choice has fallen on one so
impracticable.
I was happier as the supper-table, to which we were soon summoned,
for I had become accustomed to M. de Nidemerle, who was always kind
to me. Poor old man, I think he had hoped to have something young
and lively in his house; but I never thought of that, and of course
my husband was my only idea.
M. de Solivet set by me, and asked many questions about my mother and
the rest of the family, treating me more as a woman than anyone else
had done. Nor was it long before I caught slight resemblances both
to my mother and to my brother Berenger, which made me feel as home
with him.
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