“I won’t say no. Let us have some sparkling then, if you have no objection.”
“None in the least.”
“Ah, I see you are not so bad as I thought,” cried De Monpres, raising the glass and pledging his friend with the same.
“Is that better?” said he.
“You received my note, of course,” observed Ethalwood, when the first civilities were over.
The Frenchman nodded.
“And—ahem—the funeral, how did that pass over?”
“I carried out your instructions to the very letter.”
“I was sure you would do that. A thousand thanks. And poor Theresa?”
“Ah, mon ami, she was sadly borne down, poor girl. I thought she would have gone into hysterics, but she is better now—much better. Ah, she will be all right again in the due course of time. These things are always sad, and in her case there was every reason for deep and poignant sorrow. I am thankful for having been of service to her.”