"Serizy told me yesterday that he never goes anywhere now;
has he been to see you to-day?"
It was believed that the Duchess was desperately in love with M. de
Montriveau, and that he was a faithless lover; she felt the question
in her very heart, and her face flushed as she answered:
"He was at the Elysee yesterday."
"In attendance?"
"Claire," returned the Duchess, and hatred overflowed in the glances
she threw at Mme. de Beauseant; "of course you know that M.
d'Ajuda-Pinto is going to marry Mlle. de Rochefide; the bans will be
published to-morrow."
This thrust was too cruel; the Vicomtesse's face grew white, but she
answered, laughing, "One of those rumors that fools amuse themselves
with. What should induce M. d'Ajuda to take one of the noblest names
in Portugal to the Rochefides? The Rochefides were only ennobled
yesterday."
"But Bertha will have two hundred thousand livres a year, they say."
"M. d'Ajuda is too wealthy to marry for money."
"But, my dear, Mlle. de Rochefide is a charming girl."
"Indeed?"
"And, as a matter of fact, he is dining with them to-day; the thing is
settled. It is very surprising to me that you should know so little
about it.
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