was not seen again. There was extreme anxiety. What was she going
to do? If she resisted, what an embarrassment for them all?

The dinner hour struck; they waited for her in vain. Then Mr.
Follenvie came in and announced that Mademoiselle Rousset did not
feel well and that they might sit down to dinner. They all pricked
their ears. The Count came near the inn-keeper and whispered: "Is
it all right?"--"Yes."

For the sake of propriety, he did not say anything to his companions,
but nodded to them slightly. Immediately a great sigh of relief
went up from all breasts; joy brightened every face. Loiseau
exclaimed: "By Jove, I'll treat to champagne if any is left in
this house!"--And Madame Loiseau felt a pang when the inn-keeper
returned with four bottles in his hand. Every one had suddenly
become communicative and merry; a lively joy filled the hearts.
The Count seemed to notice that Madame Carre-Lamadon was charming;
the manufacturer paid compliments to the Countess; the conversation
was lively, gay and full of witticisms.

Suddenly Loiseau, with an alarmed face, raised his arms and
shouted: "Silence!" They all stopped talking, were surprised nay
even frightened. Then he listened, said "Hush!" signaling with his
two hands, raised his eyes to the ceiling, listened again and, in
his natural voice, he resumed: "Don't be afraid, everything is
all right!"

They hesitated to understand what he meant, but soon a smile lighted
up all the faces.