第25章

"Just so," replied Mademoiselle; "she has no more memory than a hare, --a very just remark."Four times a year, at the beginning of each season, Mademoiselle Cormon went to pass a certain number of days on her estate of Prebaudet.It was now the middle of May, the period at which she wished to see how her apple-trees had "snowed," a saying of that region which expressed the effect produced beneath the trees by the falling of their blossoms.When the circular deposit of these fallen petals resembled a layer of snow the owner of the trees might hope for an abundant supply of cider.While she thus gauged her vats, Mademoiselle Cormon also attended to the repairs which the winter necessitated; she ordered the digging of her flower-beds and her vegetable garden, from which she supplied her table.Every season had its own business.Mademoiselle always gave a dinner of farewell to her intimate friends the day before her departure, although she was certain to see them again within three weeks.It was always a piece of news which echoed through Alencon when Mademoiselle Cormon departed.

All her visitors, especially those who had missed a visit, came to bid her good-bye; the salon was thronged, and every one said farewell as though she were starting for Calcutta.The next day the shopkeepers would stand at their doors to see the old carriole pass, and they seemed to be telling one another some news by repeating from shop to shop:--"So Mademoiselle Cormon is going to Prebaudet!"Some said: "HER bread is baked."

"Hey! my lad," replied the next man."She's a worthy woman; if money always came into such hands we shouldn't see a beggar in the country."Another said: "Dear me, I shouldn't be surprised if the vineyards were in bloom; here's Mademoiselle Cormon going to Prebaudet.How happens it she doesn't marry?""I'd marry her myself," said a wag; "in fact, the marriage is half-made, for here's one consenting party; but the other side won't.Pooh!

the oven is heating for Monsieur du Bousquier.""Monsieur du Bousquier! Why, she has refused him."That evening at all the gatherings it was told gravely:--"Mademoiselle Cormon has gone."

Or:--

"So you have really let Mademoiselle Cormon go."The Wednesday chosen by Suzanne to make known her scandal happened to be this farewell Wednesday,--a day on which Mademoiselle Cormon drove Josette distracted on the subject of packing.During the morning, therefore, things had been said and done in the town which lent the utmost interest to this farewell meeting.Madame Granson had gone the round of a dozen houses while the old maid was deliberating on the things she needed for the journey; and the malicious Chevalier de Valois was playing piquet with Mademoiselle Armande, sister of a distinguished old marquis, and the queen of the salon of the aristocrats.If it was not uninteresting to any one to see what figure the seducer would cut that evening, it was all important for the chevalier and Madame Granson to know how Mademoiselle Cormon would take the news in her double capacity of marriageable woman and president of the Maternity Society.As for the innocent du Bousquier, he was taking a walk on the promenade, and beginning to suspect that Suzanne had tricked him; this suspicion confirmed him in his principles as to women.