When she entered, the pallor and discomposure of her countenance surprised the Count of Kehlmark.
As soon as he had invited her to sit down and was informed of the object of her visit she began resolutely, without oratorical preliminaries, but with a tight throat.
"I have thought it my duty, Count, to warn you that people outside begin to busy themselves over the continual presence of the son of Govaertz here at Escal-Vigor. Let us say nothing of his coming to the château, but I fear, Henry, that you really display too publicly an outrageous attachment to this little peasant before his equals outside."
"Blandine!" said Kehlmark, pushing away his papers, throwing aside his pen and standing up, confounded at the audacity of this introduction.
"Oh, pardon me, Monsieur Henry," she resumed, "I know well that your actions do not concern them. But all the same, people are so talkative! Always seeing this young peasant hanging at your heels sets their fancies and their evil tongues to work."
"That's a precious thing for me to trouble about!" cried the Count with a forced
