"The Marquis did his utmost to persuade his sister to leave her dear home and take up her quarters at Sarinet for part of the year, accompanying him and his wife to Paris every autumn; there to spend six months in their house, in the Rue de Lille. But the Countess was firm in refusing. She knew in her heart, though she did not say so, that there never could be any real sympathy between herself and her sister-in-law, and she longed to keep Edmee in the country. But she thanked her brother for his kindness and affection for her, which so far as they went, were real. "`When Edmee is older,' she said, `and her education calls for it, I must make up my mind to spend part of the year in Paris.' "`Of course,' said the Marquis, `_that_ is a matter there can be no doubt about. But I wish you could have made up your mind to get in the way of visiting Paris sooner. Not that Clemence--Clemence was the Marquise, his wife--would expect you to take part in any gay doings for some time to come. But you are too young and too pretty, Louise, to get in the way of shutting yourself up. And for my little niece--for a girl with her prospects, sole heiress to all the de Valmont property--Paris is a necessity. I have a right to an opinion; Edmee, you remember, comes next to Edmond in _our_ succession, and Edmond, poor fellow, is still a delicate lad.' "`Oh, brother, I trust not; I trust he may grow up strong and healthy!' exclaimed the Countess, shocked at the Marquis's cool way of talking of his son, and certainly with no desire to see her little Edmee in his place. "`I hope so too. I hope to see the properties united in a different way, my fair sister,' he replied with a courtly bow. And the Countess pretended not to understand what he meant, for she was by no means sure that Edmond, brought up as he was, would ever be the husband she would choose for her precious child.