“My dear Léon, you need not insist on the relationship. We are all aware of it, and, indeed, I think myself that it is only proper he should come.”
“My sisters can show him the place. He is immensely proud of Poissy, and anxious that anything in the way of repair should be done at once.”
Mme. de Beaudrillart bit her lip.
“I hope you do not attend to his suggestions.”
“Oh, indeed I do,” said Léon, with a laugh. “I think them extremely valuable.”
“Ah, he was a builder, was he not?”
“Certainly,” her son said, imperturbably, “and, luckily for us, a most successful builder. Why, mother, you must be aware of the name he has in Tours for shrewdness and good sense?”
“Yes, I know too well,” said Mme. de Beaudrillart, impatiently, “and I am sorry to displease you, Léon, for I am certain you acted for the best; but I would rather, far rather, you had Monsieur de Cadanet for your creditor than this Monsieur Bourget for your father-in-law.”
“Ah, mother, but I could not part with my Nathalie. However, it is settled, is it not? Monsieur Bourget will come, and you will be charming to him for my sake?”
And he departed, whistling, to assure his wife that everything was satisfactorily arranged, and that she might take the first opportunity of inviting her father.