“Was I talking aloud?” said the French lad, flushing.
“You? No! Didn’t you hear? It was Uncle Paul. Your father was talking about Napoleon, and directly his name is mentioned uncle begins to boil over.”
“Ah, yes, so you have told me, and I gathered something of the kind. My father should not have spoken about the Emperor, though he venerates his name.”
“Do you?” said Rodd.
“I?” replied Morny proudly. “Of course. He is the greatest man who ever lived.”
“I say; I’m not Uncle Paul.”
“Of course not. But why do you say that?”
“Because it seems as if you were trying to lead me on, like your father did with uncle.”
“Ah, no, no, don’t think that. Better to let such things rest.”
“Yes,” said Rodd. “I didn’t hear much of what they were saying, only they talked loudly sometimes about the way the French and English hate one another. It seems so stupid. Why should they? I don’t hate you; and I suppose you don’t hate me.”