“What are you here for?”
“To see my mother.”
“Filial affection is a most excellent thing. Unfortunately, however, there are travelling expenses to be thought of.”
“I came on foot,” said Jack, with simple dignity.
“Indeed!” drawled D’Argenton, and then added, “I am glad to see that your legs are in better order than your arms.”
And pleased at this mot, the poet bowed coldly, and went on.
A week before, and these words would have scarcely been noticed by Jack, but since the previous night he had not been the same person. His pride was now so wounded that he would have returned to Aulnettes without seeing his mother, had he not wished to speak to her most seriously. He entered the salon; it was in disorder: chairs and benches were being brought in, for a great fête was in progress of arrangement, which was the reason that D’Argenton was so out of temper on seeing Jack. Charlotte did not appear pleased, but stopped in some of her preparations.
“Is it you, my dear Jack. You come for money, too, I fancy. I forgot it utterly,—that is, I begged Dr. Hirsch to hand it to you. He is going to Aulnettes in two or three days to make some very curious experiments with perfumes. He has made an extraordinary discovery.”
They were talking in the centre of the room; a half dozen workmen were going to and fro, driving nails, and moving the furniture.
“I wish to speak seriously,” said Jack.