content passed over Kehlmark's countenance. Nor did the passing cloud escape the notice of the crafty village wench. "So much the better," she mused, "the pretentious hussy seems to pall upon him already."
"You mean Mademoiselle Blandine, my housekeeper," said Kehlmark with a gay air!
"Excuse her. She is very busy, and besides, extremely timid. Her great pleasure consists in preparing and managing behind the scenes my little receptions. She is in a way my master of the ceremonies, the general steward of Escal-Vigor."
He laughed, but Claudie seemed to detect in his laugh something pinched and throttled. On the other hand, it was with a truly softened intonation that he added: "She is almost a sister. She was present with me when my grandmother 'closed her eyes for the last time'."
After a short silence: "And you will come to see us at 'Les Pèlerins', Count," asked Claudie, a little disturbed in her matrimonial speculations by the almost fervent tone of Kehlmark's last words.
"Yes, Count, you would do us great honour by such a visit," added the Burgomaster: "Without boasting, "Les Pèlerins"
