“Your wonder is not greater than my own,” he laughed.
“In our worst troubles recently you laughed. You have a laugh for everything.”
“The finest mask with which Nature ever fitted man or woman is a laugh, Lucette. Yes, I can laugh at my own follies and wishes and troubles and—aye, even at my own bereavements.”
The gaiety of his tone was just as bright and free; and he continued to smile when Lucette again looked at him earnestly.
“Is that smile a mask, too? I would gladly know what is behind it,” she said.
“I think I myself shall know better when, say, there are twenty leagues between Morvaix and me.”
They stood looking one at the other a moment, and then Denys came out and joined them.
“Come to my rescue, Denys,” cried Pascal gaily. “Here is Madame Burgher trying to cross-examine me.”
“Aye, come and take a lesson in word fencing, Denys,” said Lucette.
“You may need many lessons when you fence with Lucette, my good friend.”