It was as though his veins were running fire. He glanced at Marie-Louise. Shyly diffident in the presence of strangers, her head was lowered. She had seen nothing. Seen nothing! Seen what? He did not know. His blood was tingling, his brain was confusion.
He walked on, hurrying unconsciously.
It was Marie-Louise who spoke.
"They are of the grand monde," she said in a sort of wondering excitement, when they were out of ear-shot.
"Yes," said Jean absently.
"And English or American."
"Yes," said Jean.
"But the rich people do not come to Bernay-sur-Mer where there is no amusement for them," she submitted with a puzzled air. "I wonder what they are going to do here?"
Jean's eyes were on the road. He did not raise them.
"Who knows!" said Jean Laparde.