But the fact is that
she isn't dressed, and you will have to wait a moment. Come, child, make
haste, I will help you--ten minutes, you understand--I won't keep you
waiting a moment longer."
Seraphine remained alone with the two men. She had made a gesture of
surprise on perceiving Mathieu, whose hand, like an old friend, she now
shook.
"And you, are you quite well?" she asked.
"Quite well," he answered; and as she sat down near him he instinctively
pushed his chair back. He did not seem at all pleased at having met her.
He had been on familiar terms with her during his earlier days at the
Beauchene works. She was a frantic pleasure-lover, and destitute of both
conscience and moral principles. Her conduct had given rise to scandal
even before her extraordinary elopement with Baron de Lowicz, that needy
adventurer with a face like an archangel's and the soul of a swindler.
The result of the union was a stillborn child. Then Seraphine, who was
extremely egotistical and avaricious, quarrelled with her husband and
drove him away. He repaired to Berlin, and was killed there in a brawl at
a gambling den. Delighted at being rid of him, Seraphine made every use
of her liberty as a young widow.
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