As he spoke, he drew a chair near to his own and motioned to Nanon that it was intended for her.
Nanon seated herself with a frown, which augured ill for the harmony of the interview.
"First of all," said she, "why are you not where you should be?"
"Ah! my dear little sister, that is hardly courteous. If I were where I should be, I should not be here, and consequently you would not have the pleasure of seeing me."
"Did you not wish to take orders?"
"No, not I; say rather, that certain persons who are interested in me, notably yourself, wished to force me to take orders; but personally, I have never had a particularly earnest vocation for the Church."
"But you were educated for a religious life?"
"Yes, sister; and I believe I have piously profited by that fact."
"No sacrilege, monsieur; do not joke on sacred subjects."