“Good morning, Andrea,” said the baron; “going out, I see.”
“I am going to the Dauphiness who expects me.”
“Alone?”
“Since Nicole ran away, I have no attendant.”
“But you cannot dress yourself alone; no lady ever does it: I advised you quite another course.”
“Excuse me, but the Dauphiness awaits—— ”
“My child, you will get yourself ridiculed if you go on like this and ridicule is fatal at court.”
“I will attend to it, father: but at present the Dauphiness will overlook the want of an elaborate attire for the haste I show to join her.”
“Be back soon for I have something serious to say. But you are never going out without a touch of red on the cheeks. They look quite hollow and your eyes are circled with large rings. You will frighten people thus.”
“I have no time to do anything more, father.”