M. d'Aubepine appeared, and was quite cheerful, for she
figured to herself once more that her husband was only detained by
his duties and his value to his Prince, and was burning every moment
to see his little ones. She asked questions about him, and became
radiant when she heard of his courage at Lens, and the compliments
that M. le Prince had paid to him.
After supper the little pensionnaires were to be taken back, and as
some lady must escort them, I undertook the charge, finding with
great delight that their father would accompany them likewise. I
effaced myself as much as I could on the way, and let the father and
daughters talk to one another; and they chattered freely about their
tasks, and works, and playfellows, seeming very happy with him.
But on the way home was my opportunity, and I asked what my half-
brother really thought of M. d'Aubepine.
'He is a fine young man,' he said.
'You have told me that before; but what hopes are there for his
wife?'
'Poor little thing,' returned Solivet.
'Can he help loving her?' I said
'Alas! my sister, he has been in a bad school, and has before him an
example--of courage, it is true, but not precisely of conjugal
affection.'
'Is it true, then,' I asked, 'that the Princess of Conde is kept
utterly in the background in spite of her mother-in-law, and that the
Prince publishes his dislike to her?'
'Perfectly true,' said my brother.
Pages:
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209