noon
Armand lived in the Rue de Tournon , a few steps away from the Chamber of Peers , and that very day the House was sitting ; but long before the peers returned to their palaces , several people had recognised the Duchess 's carriage and liveries . The first of these was the Baron de Maulincour . That young officer had met with disdain from Mme de Langeais and a better reception from Mme de Serizy ; he betook himself at once therefore to his mistress , and under seal of secrecy told her of this strange freak . In a moment the news was spread with telegraphic speed through all the coteries in the Faubourg Saint-Germain ; it reached the Tuileries and the Elysee-Bourbon ; it was the sensation of the day , the matter of all the talk from noon till night . Almost everywhere the women denied the facts , but in such a manner that the report was confirmed ; the men one and all believed it , and manifested a most indulgent interest in Mme de Langeais . Some among them threw the blame on Armand . `` That savage of a Montriveau is a man of bronze , '' said they ; `` he insisted on making this scandal , no doubt . ''