"It was nearly four years ago," she said.
"Oh, nonsense, Adele, you were a child four years ago," one of her companions said.
"Of course I was a child," Adele said, "but I suppose children can love, and I loved an English boy."
"Oh, oh, mademoiselle, an English boy!" and other amused cries ran round the circle.
"And did he love you, mademoiselle?" the Duc de Carolan asked.
"Oh, dear no," the girl answered. "I don't suppose I should have loved him if he had. But he was strong, and gentle, and brave, and he was nearly four years older than I was, and he always treated me with respect. Oh, yes, I loved him."
"He must have been the most insensible of boys," the Duc de Carolan said; "but no doubt he was very good and gentle, this youthful islander; but how do you know that he was brave?"
The sneering tone with which the duke spoke was clearly resented by Adele, for her cheek flushed, and she spoke with an earnestness quite different from the half-laughing tone she had hitherto spoken in.
"I know that he was brave, Monsieur le Duc, because he fought with, and ran through the body, a man who insulted me."
The girl spoke so earnestly that for a moment a hush fell upon the little group; and the Duc de Carolan, who clearly resented the warm tone in which she spoke, said: