"No, Mère Rafut must be right, and, after all, I am not at all surprised about it--this story, I mean; you have no idea how charming she is, this Lisette Renaud. Something in your style; she is much taller than you, though, and not so fair; but she has the most wonderful eyes, and a lovely, graceful figure, almost as graceful as yours; in short, I can quite understand that, when anyone does care for her, they would care for her in earnest; then, added to all that, she has a great deal of talent and a beautiful voice--a contralto. I am sure you would like her."
"I don't like women who act comedy--those who act well, at least; it denotes a kind of duplicity."
"Oh, I don't think so; it denotes a faculty of assimilation, a very sensitive nature, but not duplicity."
"I can't help it, my dear, but I do not see things in the same light as you; still, that does not prevent Mademoiselle--what is her name?"
"Mademoiselle Lisette Renaud from being an exception, and she may be a very charming creature; for my part, I only hope that is so for the sake of M. de Bernès."
"You don't care much for him, do you?" asked Jeanne.
"What makes you think that?--he is quite indifferent to me, and I always look upon him as being just like everyone else."
"Oh, no; that is not true--I see him pretty often at Pont-sur-Loire; he is very intelligent, and very nice, and then, too, very good-looking; don't you think so?"
"I assure you that I have never paid much attention to M. de Bernès and his appearance," and then Bijou added, laughing: "The very first time I see him, I will look at him with all my eyes, and I will endeavour to discover his perfections to please M. de Clagny."
"You like him very much, don't you--M. de Clagny?"
"I noticed that at once; ever since my arrival you have only talked of him; and yesterday, when he came, you were delighted."
"But everyone is kind to you, everyone adores you."
"Everyone is much too good and too indulgent, as far as I am concerned; I know that very well; but M. de Clagny is better still than the others. I have only known him three days, and now I could not do without him. Whenever I see him, I feel gay and happy at once; and I wish he were always here. I'll tell you what--I should like to have a father or an uncle like him. Doesn't he make the same kind of impression on you?"