"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?" "Lisette Renaud." "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 Bernes." "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 Bernes 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?" "Oh, yes, indeed I do." "I noticed that at once; ever since my arrival you have only talked of him; and yesterday, when he came, you were delighted." "Yes, he is so good, and so kind to me." "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?" "Oh, as for me, you know, it would be impossible to imagine myself with any other father than papa. Just as he is I adore him; perhaps to other people he may seem nothing out of the common but you see he is my father; all the same I like M. de Clagny, and he is very nice--he must have been charming." "I think he still is charming." The two girls had reached the hall by this time, and Jeanne went to the door. "How very warm it is," she said, and then, shading her eyes with her hand, she looked out into the avenue. "Why, there's a mail-coach!" she exclaimed. "Whoever would be coming with a mail-coach?" "M. de Clagny, of course," cried Bijou, rushing out on to the steps in her delight; "he told grandmamma that if he possibly could he should come and ask her to give him some luncheon." "And he has managed to," remarked M. de Rueille drily, as he, too, approached the hall door; "we've seen a great deal of him these last three days; certainly, he is very devoted to us," he added sarcastically. The sight of the horses, which were just being pulled up in front of the steps, somewhat appeased him, however.