"Sit down again, Renée, please. You must own, my dear child, that yesterday——"
"Oh, papa, are you going to talk to me like this on such a beautiful day?"
"Well, but will you explain?" persisted M. Mauperin, trying to remain dignified in face of the rebellious expression, made up of smiles mingled with defiance, in his daughter's eyes. "It was very evident that you behaved in the way you did purposely."
Renée winked mischievously and nodded her head two or three times affirmatively.
"I want to speak to you seriously, Renée."
"But I am quite serious, I assure you. I have told you that I was like that on purpose."
"And why—will you tell me that?"
"Why? Oh, yes, I'll tell you, but on condition that you won't be too conceited. It was because—because——"
"Because of what?"
"Because I love you much more than that gentleman who was here yesterday—there now—very much more—it's quite true!"