"'Gerald!' cried Madame de Senneterre, reminding her son of my presence with a look, for I had involuntarily turned to glance at the vehicle to which M. de Senneterre had called attention, and which was occupied by a young and extremely pretty woman, who seemed to be following the young duke with her eyes.
"His mother's warning exclamation, and the look she cast at me, made M. de Senneterre bite his lips, but it was with a smile that he replied:
"You are right, mother. It would make angels too unhappy to know that there are such things as demons in the world."
This half apology was indirectly addressed to me, I suppose, for two of the ladies glanced at me, smiling in their turn, and I felt greatly embarrassed.
"As we were leaving, Madame de Senneterre asked:
"You dine with me to-day, do you not, Gerald?"
"No, mother, and I must ask you to pardon me for not having told you that I had made another engagement."
"That is very unfortunate, for I, too, have made an engagement for you," replied Madame de Senneterre, smiling.
"All right, mother," said M. de Senneterre, affectionately; "I will send my friends a brief note of excuse; then I shall be entirely at your service."
And after having bowed very deferentially to us, M. de Senneterre started his horse off at a gallop.