CHAPTER XVIII 

CLEVER TACTICS 

As soon as M. Durand had recovered from the shock of Madame la Marquise's sudden invasion of his sanctum, he ran to the portière which he had been watching so anxiously, and, pushing it aside, he disclosed the door partially open. 

"Monsieur le Comte de Stainville!" he called discreetly. 

"Has she gone?" came in a whisper from the inner room. 

"Yes! yes! I pray you enter, M. le Comte," said M. Durand, obsequiously holding the portière aside. "Madame la Marquise only passed through very quickly; she took notice of nothing, I assure you." 

Gaston de Stainville cast a quick searching glance round the room as he entered, and fidgeted nervously with a lace handkerchief in his hand. No doubt his enforced sudden retreat at Lydie's approach had been humiliating to his pride. But he did not want to come on her too abruptly, and was chafing now because he needed a menial's help to further his desires. 

"You were a fool, man, to place me in this awkward position," he said with a scowl directed at M. Durand's meek personality, "or else a knave, in which case . . ." 

"Ten thousand pardons, M. le Comte," rejoined the little man apologetically. "Madame la Marquise scarcely ever comes this way after _le petit lever_. She invariably retires to her study, and thither I should have had the honour to conduct you, according to your wish." 

"You seem very sure that Madame la Marquise would have granted me a private audience." 
Who had to hide?
From whom?
What is her first name?
Does he want to see her?
Was she supposed to walk that way?
Where is she usually?
Who lets him in?
Does he consider him an equal?
What does he call him?
How else does he think of him?
Did he want to surprise her?
Was he proud of what happened?
How does he feel?
Monsieur le Comte de Stainville
Monsieur le Comte de Stainville
Madame la Marquise
Madame la Marquise only passed 
unknown
unknown
no
But he did not want to come on her too abruptly,
no
retires to her study, 
her study,
She invariably retires to her study,
M. Durand
Yes! yes! I pray you enter, M. le Comte," said M. Durand
no
been humiliating to his pride
fool
You were a fool, man
meek
M. Durand's meek personality
no
ant to come on her too abruptly,
no
Lydie's approach had been humiliating
humiliated
approach had been humiliating