Page:The Reverberator (2nd edition, American issue, London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1888).djvu/160

150 "Yes, she's lovely," said Francie. "She isn't very young, but she's fearfully attractive. And he used to go every day to have tea with Mme. de Villepreux. Mme. de Cliché can't bear Mme. de Villepreux."

"Lord, what a low character he must be!" George Flack exclaimed.

"Oh, his mother was very bad. That was one thing they had against the marriage."

"Who had? against what marriage?"

"When Maggie Probert became engaged."

"Is that what they call her—Maggie?"

"Her brother does; but every one else calls her Margot. Old Mme. de Cliché had a horrid reputation. Every one hated her."

"Except those, I suppose, who liked her too much. And who is Mme. de Villepreux?"

"She's the daughter of Mme. de Marignac."

"And who is Mme. de Marignac?"

"Oh, she's dead," said Francie. "She used to be a great friend of Mr. Probert—of Gaston's father."

"He used to go to tea with her?"

"Almost every day. Susan says he has never been the same since her death."

"Ah, poor man! And who is Susan?"

"Why, Mme. de Brécourt. Mr. Probert just loved Mme. de Marignac. Mme. de Villepreux isn't so nice as her mother. She was brought up with the Proberts, like a sister, and now she carries on with Maxime."