Reverchon was sitting next her, so near that her dress touched him every time she moved.
"You were both carried away by the current," she continued. "It was dangerous, I am sure! Oh, that river! I really cannot understand how M. Mauperin allows——"
"Mme. Mauperin," replied her husband, who was by the table looking through an album with his daughter, "I do not allow anything—I tolerate——"
"Coward!" whispered Renée to her father.
"I assure you, mamma, there was no danger," put in Henri Mauperin. "There was no danger at all. They were just slightly carried along by the current, and they preferred holding on to a boat to going half a mile or so lower down the river. That was all! You see——"
"Ah, you comfort me," said Mme. Mauperin, the serenity of her expression gradually returning at her son's words. "I know you are so prudent, but, you see, M. Reverchon, our dear Renée is so foolish that I am always afraid. Oh, dear, there are drops of water on her hair now. Come here and let me brush them off."
"M. Dardouillet!" announced a servant.
"A neighbour of ours," said Mme. Mauperin in a low voice to Reverchon.
"Well, and where are you now?" asked M. Mauperin, as he shook hands with the new arrival.
"Oh, we are getting on—we are getting on—three hundred stakes done to-day."