One of these was the
project at one time existing of a marriage between Aline and M. de
La Tour d'Azyr. It was a matter that Aline - naturally enough in
the state of her feelings - had never mentioned, nor had M. de
Kercadiou ever alluded to it since his coming to Meudon, by when he
had perceived how unlikely it was ever to be realized.
M. de La Tour d'Azyr's concern for Aline on that morning of the
duel when he had found her half-swooning in Mme. de Plougastel's
carriage had been of a circumspection that betrayed nothing of his
real interest in her, and therefore had appeared no more than
natural in one who must account himself the cause of her distress.
Similarly Mme. de Plougastel had never realized nor did she realize
now - for Aline did not trouble fully to enlighten her - that the
hostility between the two men was other than political, the quarrel
other than that which already had taken Andre-Louis to the Bois on
every day of the preceding week. But, at least, she realized that
even if Andre-Louis' rancour should have no other source, yet that
inconclusive duel was cause enough for Aline's fears.
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