She
would not, on any account, have had people suppose that anything
relating to these plebeians--these low peasants--could possibly disturb
her proud serenity. She would not so much as ask a single question on
the subject.
But this superb indifference was, in great measure, assumed. In her
inmost soul she was blessing this conspiracy which had caused so many
tears and so much blood to flow. Had it not removed her rival from her
path?
"Now," she thought, "the marquis will return to me, and I will make him
forget the bold creature who has bewitched him!"
Chimeras! The charm had vanished which had once caused the love of
Martial de Sairmeuse to oscillate between Mlle. de Courtornieu and the
daughter of Lacheneur.
Captivated at first by the charms of Mlle. Blanche, he soon discovered
the calculating ambition and the utter worldliness concealed beneath
such seeming simplicity and candor. Nor was he long in discerning her
intense vanity, her lack of principle, and her unbounded selfishness;
and, comparing her with the noble and generous Marie-Anne, his
admiration was changed into indifference, or rather repugnance.
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