Yes, the very same; and Mam’selle Diane was not an early riser because of sleeplessness, nor was it age that made her slender hands so hard and brown.
CHAPTER XVI
PEPSIE IS JEALOUS
When Mam’selle Diane joined Lady Jane in the garden, she had gained her mother’s consent to give the child a music lesson once a week. The old lady had been querulous and difficult; she had discussed and objected, but finally Mam’selle Diane had overcome her prejudices.
“You don’t know what kind of people her relatives are,” the old lady said, complainingly, “and if we once open our doors to the child the aunt may try to crowd in. We don’t want to make any new acquaintances. There’s one satisfaction we still have, that, although we are poor, very poor, we are always d’Hautreves, and we always have been exclusive, and I hope we always shall be. As soon as we allow those people to break down the barrier between us, they will rush in on us, and, in a little while, they will forget who we are.”
“Never fear, mama; if the aunt is as well bred as the child, she will not annoy us. If we wish to know her, we shall probably have to make the first advances, for, judging by the child, they are not common people. I have never seen so gentle and polite a little girl. I’m sure she’ll be no trouble.”
“I don’t know about that. Children are natural gossips, and she is very intelligent for her age. She will notice everything, and the secret of your birds will get out.”
“Well, mama dear, if you feel that she will be an intrusion upon our privacy, I won’t insist; but I should so like to have her, just for two hours, say, once a week. It would give me a new interest; it would renew my youth to hear her angelic little voice sometimes.”
“Oh, I suppose you must have your way, Diane, as you always do. Young people nowadays have no respect for the prejudices of age. We must yield all our traditions and habits to their new-fashioned ideas, or else we are severe and tyrannical.”
“Oh, mama, dear mama, I’m sure you’re a little, just a little, unkind now,” said Mam’selle Diane, soothingly. “I’ll give it up at once if you really wish it; but I don’t think you do. I’m sure the child will interest you; besides, I’m getting on so well with the bird—you wouldn’t have me give up my model, would you?”
“Certainly not, my dear. If you need her, let her come. At least you can try for a while, and if you find her troublesome, and the lessons a task, you can stop them when you like.”