And whatever might be--considering the violent character of Milady--the danger which the poor girl incurred in giving this billet to her mistress, she ran back to the Place Royale as fast as her legs could carry her.
The heart of the best woman is pitiless toward the sorrows of a rival.
Milady opened the letter with eagerness equal to Kitty's in bringing it; but at the first words she read she became livid.

She crushed the paper in her hand, and turning with flashing eyes upon Kitty, she cried, "What is this letter ?" "The answer to Madame's," replied Kitty, all in a tremble.
"Impossible!" cried Milady.

"It is impossible a gentleman could have written such a letter to a woman." Then all at once, starting, she cried, "My God! can he have--" and she stopped.

She ground her teeth; she was of the color of ashes.

She tried to go toward the window for air, but she could only stretch forth her arms; her legs failed her, and she sank into an armchair.