“Pardon me, ladies, and you Monsieur de Tourville, for this intrusion; it was quite unintentional. I was crossing the rocks towards the stream on the other side to try and tempt a large trout out of this famous pool, when I encountered a rather strange individual. I spoke to him, but he looked at me as if I were a wild beast, shook his head, and made a horrid noise in his throat.”
“Ah!” interrupted our hero, inclined to laugh, though exceedingly annoyed at the interruption, “you met my man, Pierre Bompart; he is deaf and dumb, but as faithful a fellow as ever lived.”
There was a curl on Monsieur Gramont’s lip as he bowed; and as all left the grotto, he observed—
“I have no doubt of his fidelity, for he seemed decidedly inclined to throw me over the rocks, and I really did not offend him. But I have to beg your pardon, Monsieur de Tourville, for not having called at Coulancourt. I have been absent. The Government has made me Maire of this arrondissement, and I had to proceed to Rouen; but I had intended doing myself that honour to-morrow.”
Our hero bowed, and as he could do no less, and politeness required it, he introduced the two ladies to the unwelcome intruder.
Monsieur Gramont could scarcely conceal his admiration as he acknowledged the introduction to Mademoiselle de Tourville, but to Mademoiselle Plessis he said in a gay tone—
“Though I have not had the pleasure of an introduction before, I have had the happiness of seeing Mademoiselle Plessis.”
“The happiness was entirely confined to yourself, monsieur,” said Julia, carelessly, “for I really never remember having anywhere seen you.”
“I could recall the period, nevertheless, mademoiselle, but it is a painful time to bring back to your memory; you were a very young girl.”
Julia did look surprised, and a little uneasy, and perhaps curious, for she said—