"I don't know why; for my part, I didn't think as he did. Something told me that you would come--to hear about Fanny--to talk about her. I guessed right, did I not?"
"For I know very well that that was the only reason it occurred to you to come here."
"Do you think that I am not fond of you--of you and your father?"
"Oh! I don't say that; but my father fears--suppose you should meet my sister here?"
"I should be able to act with her as with a person who was a total stranger to me. Does she come to see you often?"
"No, not often. She has so many other calls to make! She knows so many people now!"
"Mon Dieu!" said Adolphine; "if it should be my father!"
"Why, I will go and offer him my hand, and I am sure that he won't refuse it."
Adolphine had not time to finish her sentence. The door of her chamber was hastily thrown open, and her sister entered.
Fanny was resplendent in costume, jewels, and style; and it must be said that, like all women with whom personal adornment is a special study, she carried her splendor well, and that it added materially to the attractions she had received from nature.
The young woman was nowise perturbed at sight of Gustave Darlemont; she honored him with an affable smile, and her vanity seemed flattered that he whose hand she had refused should see her now in all the glory of her good-fortune and her magnificent toilet. Adolphine, on the contrary, was pale and trembling. As for Gustave, he could not conceal the emotion he felt on seeing Fanny again, and especially in such seductive guise.
"Bonjour, little sister!" said Fanny, kissing Adolphine.--"But, I cannot be mistaken--this is Monsieur Gustave. I am delighted to see you, monsieur."
"Madame--I confess that I did not expect--to meet you here."
"Why, it seems to me quite natural that I should come to my father's house. To be sure, it doesn't happen very often: I have so little time to myself! When one goes much into society, one must make and receive so many calls, dress, give orders when one entertains. And, by the way, we give a large party in six days, to inaugurate our winter evenings.--I came to tell you, Adolphine, so that you may have time to prepare a bewitching costume, do you hear? I will advise you, of course, for you don't keep very well abreast of the fashions.--But I thought that you were abroad, Monsieur Gustave?"