Second Part Chapter 54

MME. GASTON TO THE COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE
May 20th.

Renee, calamity has come--no, that is no word for it--it has burst
like a thunderbolt over your poor Louise. You know what that means;
calamity for me is doubt; certainty would be death.

The day before yesterday, when I had finished my first toilet, I
looked everywhere for Gaston to take a little turn with me before
lunch, but in vain. I went to the stable, and there I saw his mare all
in a lather, while the groom was removing the foam with a knife before
rubbing her down. "Who in the world has put Fedelta in such a state?"

I asked. "Master," replied the lad.

I saw the mud of Paris on the mare's legs, for country mud is quite
different; and at once it flashed through me,

"He has been to Paris."

This thought raised a swarm of others in my heart, and it seemed as
though all the life in my body rushed there. To go to Paris without
telling me, at the hour when I leave him alone, to hasten there and
back at such speed as to distress Fedelta. Suspicion clutched me in
its iron grip, till I could hardly breathe. I walked aside a few steps
to a seat, where I tried to recover my self-command.

Here Gaston found me, apparently pale and fluttered, for he
immediately exclaimed, "What is wrong?" in a tone of such alarm, that
I rose and took his arm. But my muscles refused to move, and I was
forced to sit down again. Then he took me in his arms and carried me
to the parlor close by, where the frightened servants pressed after
us, till Gaston motioned them away. Once left to ourselves, I refused
to speak, but was able to reach my room, where I shut myself in, to
weep my fill. Gaston remained something like two hours at my door,
listening to my sobs and questioning with angelic patience his poor
darling, who made no response.