"Yes, hasn't he? The first few times he came to Bracieux, I was struck with his coolness towards our sweet girl, whom everyone adores. He was just simply polite to her, and that was all." "At present, he is not very far gone, but there is considerable progress; he is preparing to follow in the pathway which has been beaten out by others." "Just lately, when you were talking to me about Bijou getting married, had you any idea in the background?" asked the marchioness, looking at Madame de Rueille. Bertrade repeated the question without replying to it. "An idea in the background?" "Yes. Were you, for instance, thinking that Bijou was in love with this young Bernes?" "I told you that same day, grandmamma, that it is my belief Bijou is not in love, never has been in love, and never will be in love with anyone." "If you had said that, as you say it now, I should most certainly have protested. It would be impossible, in my opinion, to be more absolutely and completely mistaken than you are. Never to love anyone?--Bijou!--when there never was anyone who needed to be loved and petted as she does." "She needs to be loved and petted--yes, I grant that; but she always requires people to love and pet her, and she does not feel the need of loving and petting others in her turn." "In other words, she is selfish and cold-hearted?" questioned the marchioness, her voice suddenly taking a harsh tone. "The fact is, Bertrade, you have a grudge against Bijou, because of the charm there is about her: you are angry with her, because no one can resist being fascinated by her, and instead of blaming Paul, who is the real culprit, you accuse the poor child in this cruel way." "I do not accuse Bijou any more than I do Paul, grandmamma: and I should be all the less likely to accuse them, because I do not think that we are exactly free agents in such matters; yes, I know that you will be scandalised at my saying such a thing--I can see that very well. You think it is blasphemy, don't you? And yet, Heaven knows that the thoughts which come to me sometimes on this subject make me much more tolerant and indulgent towards others--" M. de Clagny approached the two ladies just at this moment. "What are you two plotting in this little corner?" "Nothing," said Madame de Bracieux; "we were watching Bijou, who seems to be taming your young friend Bernes." "Taming him? Whatever do you mean by that?" asked the count, turning round with a disturbed look on his face. "Well, I mean just what everyone means when they make that remark! A week ago, when the young man dined here with us, he was like an icicle; well, I fancy that the thaw has set in."