Mignon had everywhere declared that it was ridiculous of his
wife to bear Nana a grudge; he thought her attitude stupid and useless.
"Look here, my dear," he whispered. "Be careful: don't madden Rose too
much. You understand, I think it best to warn you. Yes, she's got a
weapon in store, and as she's never forgiven you the Petite Duchesse
business--"
"A weapon," said Nana; "what's that blooming well got to do with me?"
"Just listen: it's a letter she must have found in Fauchery's pocket,
a letter written to that screw Fauchery by the Countess Muffat. And, by
Jove, it's clear the whole story's in it. Well then, Rose wants to send
the letter to the count so as to be revenged on him and on you."
"What the deuce has that got to do with me?" Nana repeated. "It's a
funny business. So the whole story about Fauchery's in it! Very well,
so much the better; the woman has been exasperating me! We shall have a
good laugh!"
"No, I don't wish it," Mignon briskly rejoined. "There'll be a pretty
scandal! Besides, we've got nothing to gain."
He paused, fearing lest he should say too much, while she loudly
averred that she was most certainly not going to get a chaste woman into
trouble.
But when he still insisted on his refusal she looked steadily at him.
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