MME. B. Well, that’s just what’s so annoying. We don’t know exactly: it might be a week, or it might be a month. And she may stay there all the time we are away from Châteauneuf.
LUCIE. Poor little Annette!
MME. B. But I thought you were going away somewhere yourselves this Easter?
LUCIE. Yes.
MME. B [kindly] That relieves my mind a little, and I hope it will make up to Mademoiselle Annette for the disappointment I am obliged to cause her—to my very great regret.
LUCIE [after a silence] Will you excuse me, madame. [Hesitating] Perhaps this is indiscreet.
MME. B. Oh, I am sure not, Madame Brignac.
LUCIE. I only wanted to ask you if it is long since Mademoiselle Gabrielle got this invitation from her cousins?
MME. B. About a week.