“Away with you, you rascals!” she was shouting. “What have my affairs to do with you? Why, in particular, do you ”⁠—here she indicated De Griers⁠—“come sneaking here with your goat’s beard? And what do you ”⁠—here she turned to Mlle. Blanche “want of me? What are you finicking for?”

“ Diantre! ” muttered Mlle. under her breath, but her eyes were flashing. Then all at once she burst into a laugh and left the room⁠—crying to the General as she did so: “ Elle vivra cent ans! ”