“Yes, I fear I am boring you.”
“You are not boring me to-day more than any other day. When shall I be seeing you?”
“When you permit me.”
“Good-bye, then.”
It was cruel, you will admit. Fortunately, the count had excellent manners and was very good-tempered. He merely kissed Marguerite’s hand, which she held out to him carelessly enough, and, bowing to us, went out.
As he crossed the threshold, he cast a glance at Prudence. She shrugged her shoulders, as much as to say:
“What do you expect? I have done all I could.”
“Nanine!” cried Marguerite. “Light M. le Comte to the door.”
We heard the door open and shut.
“At last,” cried Marguerite, coming back, “he has gone! That man gets frightfully on my nerves!”