"`The Countess trusted me to take care of him,' he said, `and then--why he is only half my size. One never lights with a boy like that.' "`I see,' said Edmee, quite convinced. `Put let me look at your face, Pierre. No, it is not very bad. Stoop down and let me tie my nice soft handkerchief round it. There now, that will do.' "`But what are we to do?' said Pierre. `We can't leave him alone. I do not want him to go in and complain, and perhaps add to your dear mamma's troubles.' "They turned and looked at Edmond. He was standing half sulky, half disconsolate--as if he too did not know what to do. "`After all,' said Pierre, philosophically, `we must remember he has never been taught better. I think the best way is to treat him as a naughty, spoilt child, and take no notice.' "He turned back. "`Master Edmond,' he said, `if you would like to play a game of "graces" with Miss Edmee, I will go and get you the hoops and sticks.' "Edmond muttered something about not knowing how. "`Never mind,' said Pierre good-naturedly; `I'll soon show you how,' and off he set. "Edmee stood still; she was less generous for Pierre than he was for himself; she would make no advances to Edmond. He, feeling, to tell the truth, rather ashamed of himself, threw on her from time to time furtive glances, which she took no notice of. At last tired of her indifference, he spoke. "`Edmee,' he said. "`Well,' replied the little girl. "`It did not hurt him--that boy, I mean.' "`Did it not? How do you know?' "`It did not hurt him much,--I did not wish to hurt him,' continued Edmond. "`I am glad to hear it,' said Edmee. Her tone was a very little softened, Edmond was encouraged by it to edge a little nearer. "`I would not wish to hurt any one you like, Edmee,' he said. `But you made me angry by speaking against Sarinet.' "`You began by speaking against Valmont.' "`Well, I beg your pardon for that. I can see that that was ill-bred. I never wish to be ill-bred. My father would be shocked if he heard of that.' "`Would he not be more shocked at your throwing your stick at Pierre?' "`Ah no,' said Edmond; `in that there is nothing ill-bred. That is a different thing altogether from saying anything to annoy a lady.' "`But,' said Edmee, her eyes flashing again, `I am much more angry with you for hitting Pierre than for speaking against Valmont.' "`Really? Well, I am sorry to have vexed you,' said Edmond, `I like you very much, Edmee, and I want you to like me and Sarinet, for when I am quite grown up I mean to marry you. I have often thought of it; for since I was quite little I have known we were to be married some day.' "`Who told you so?' said Edmee. `I am not at all sure that I should like to marry _you_. You will have to do a great many things and change very much before I could even think of it.' "`How? What things do you mean?' said the boy eagerly. "`You must grow tall and strong--like Pierre.'