"Ah!" she said, anxiously; "is Marguerite with you?"
"No."
"How is she?"
"She is not well."
"Is she not coming?"
"Did you expect her?"
Madame Duvernoy reddened, and replied, with a certain constraint: "I only meant that since you are at Paris, is she not coming to join
you?"
"No."
I looked at Prudence; she cast down her eyes, and I read in her face the
fear of seeing my visit prolonged.
"I even came to ask you, my dear Prudence, if you have nothing to do
this evening, to go and see Marguerite; you will be company for her,
and you can stay the night. I never saw her as she was to-day, and I am
afraid she is going to be ill."
"I am dining in town," replied Prudence, "and I can't go and see
Marguerite this evening. I will see her tomorrow."
I took leave of Mme. Duvernoy, who seemed almost as preoccupied as
Marguerite, and went on to my father's; his first glance seemed to study
me attentively. He held out his hand.
"Your two visits have given me pleasure, Armand," he said; "they make me
hope that you have thought over things on your side as I have on mine."
"May I ask you, father, what was the result of your reflection?"
"The result, my dear boy, is that I have exaggerated the importance of
the reports that had been made to me, and that I have made up my mind to
be less severe with you."
"What are you saying, father?" I cried joyously.
"I say, my dear child, that every young man must have his mistress, and
that, from the fresh information I have had, I would rather see you the
lover of Mlle. Gautier than of any one else."
"My dear father, how happy you make me!"
We talked in this manner for some moments, and then sat down to table.
My father was charming all dinner time.
I was in a hurry to get back to Bougival to tell Marguerite about this
fortunate change, and I looked at the clock every moment.
"You are watching the time," said my father, "and you are impatient to
leave me. O young people, how you always sacrifice sincere to doubtful
affections!"
"Do not say that, father; Marguerite loves me, I am sure of it."
My father did not answer; he seemed to say neither yes nor no.