At these words Rose and Blanche looked at each other; and their eyes filled with tears.
“Heaven be praised! These children rely on his return; but why shall we not find M. Hardy and father Simon at the factory to-morrow?”
“Ten days ago, they went to examine and study an English mill established in the south; but we expect them back every day.”
“The deuce! that’s vexing; I relied on seeing the general’s father, to talk over some important matters with him. At any rate, they know where to write to him. So to-morrow you will let him know, my lad, that his granddaughters are arrived. In the mean time, children,” added the soldier, to Rose and Blanche, “my good wife will give you her bed and you must put up with the chances of war. Poor things! they will not be worse off here than they were on the journey.”
“You know we shall always be well off with you and madame,” said Rose.
“Besides, we only think of the pleasure of being at length in Paris, since here we are to find our father,” added Blanche.
“That hope gives you patience, I know,” said Dagobert, “but no matter! After all you have heard about it, you ought to be finely surprised, my children. As yet, you have not found it the golden city of your dreams, by any means. But, patience, patience; you’ll find Paris not so bad as it looks.”
“Besides,” said Agricola, “I am sure the arrival of Marshal Simon in Paris will change it for you into a golden city.”
“You are right, Agricola,” said Rose, with a smile, “you have, indeed, guessed us.”
“What! do you know my name?”