“Really, this coachman crawls along; we shall never reach Versailles; I fear our poor companion must be terribly ennuyé.”
“Particularly,” answered Andrée, smiling, “as our conversation has not been very amusing.”
“Do you not think he has a most distinguished air?”
“Yes, certainly.”
“Besides, he wears the uniform of a naval officer, and all naval officers are of good family. He looks well in it, too, for he is very handsome.”
Here the young man interrupted them. “Your pardon, ladies,” said he, in excellent English, “but I must tell you that I understand English perfectly; I do not, however, know Spanish; therefore, if you can and like to speak in that language, you are safe from my understanding you.”
“Oh, monsieur,” replied the lady, laughing, “we had no harm to say of you, as you must have heard; therefore we will content ourselves with French for the remainder of the time.”
“Thanks, madame, but if my presence be irksome to you——”
“You cannot suppose that, sir, as it was we who begged you to accompany us.”
“Exacted it, even,” said Andrée.