"Ah! you deserve to never ride in anything better than a cab! It would serve you right! Why, just look at this crowd returning to Paris, this crowd ready to fall down and worship you. You are hailed as a queen, and your dear friend Monsieur de Mussy can scarcely restrain himself from blowing kisses to you."
DE MUSSY MEETING RENÉE AND MAXIME DRIVING IN THE BOIS.
And indeed, a rider was at that moment bowing to Renée. Maxime had been speaking in a hypocritically mocking way. But Renée scarcely turned round, and contented herself by shrugging her shoulders. This time, the young man made a despairing gesture.
"Really," said he, "is it as bad as all that? But, good heavens! you have everything, what more do you want?"
Renée raised her head. Her eyes had a warm bright look, the ardent desire of unsatiated curiosity.
"I want something else," replied she in a low voice.
"But you have everything," resumed Maxime laughing, "something else is no answer. What is the something else you want?"
"Ah! what!" repeated she.