The Count of Monte Cristo

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smiling, and was about to contradict the baroness upon this latter
point, when the door opened suddenly. M. Danglars appeared; Debray
reseated himself. At the noise of the door Madame Danglars turned round,
and looked upon her husband with an astonishment she took no trouble
to conceal. "Good-evening, madame," said the banker; "good-evening, M.
Debray."

Probably the baroness thought this unexpected visit signified a desire
to make up for the sharp words he had uttered during the day. Assuming
a dignified air, she turned round to Debray, without answering her
husband. "Read me something, M. Debray," she said. Debray, who was
slightly disturbed at this visit, recovered himself when he saw the
calmness of the baroness, and took up a book marked by a mother-of-pearl
knife inlaid with gold. "Excuse me," said the banker, "but you will
tire yourself, baroness, by such late hours, and M. Debray lives some
distance from here."