When they reached Madame de Bellefonds' he had the same sort of scrutiny
to undergo, till he grew quite impatient under it, and betrayed a degree
of temper altogether unusual with him. Then everybody looked astonished;
some whispered their remarks, and others expressed them by their
wondering eyes, till his brow knit, and his pallid cheeks became flushed
with anger.
Neither could he divert attention by eating; his parched mouth would
not allow him to swallow anything but liquids, of which he indulged
in copious libations; and it was an exceeding relief to him when the
carriage which was to convey them to St. Denis, being announced,
furnished an excuse for hastily leaving the table.
Looking at his watch, he declared it was late; and Natalie, who saw
how eager he was to be gone, threw her shawl over her shoulders, and
bidding her friends good morning they hurried away.
It was a fine sunny day in June; and as they drove along the crowded
boulevards and through the Porte St. Denis, the young bride and
bridegroom, to avoid each other's eyes, affected to be gazing out of
the windows; but when they reached that part of the road where there
was nothing but trees on each side, they felt it necessary to draw in
their heads, and make an attempt at conversation.
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