And not words only failed me as I looked at her, but anger; having mounted the stairs hot foot to chide, I felt on a sudden--despite my new cloak and scabbard, my appointment, and the same I had made at Court--the same consciousness of age; and shabbiness and poverty which had possessed me in her presence from the beginning.

I muttered, 'Good evening, mademoiselle,' and that was all I could say--I who had frightened the burly Maignan a few minutes before! Seeing, I have no doubt, the effect she produced on me, she maintained for some time an embarrassing silence.

At length she said, frigidly, 'Perhaps M.de Marsac will sit, Fanchette.

Place a chair for him.

I am afraid, however, that after his successes at Court he may find our reception somewhat cold.