"Of course, it is the young painter," thought Julie; "I fancied for a moment that I saw a demi-god."
"Alas!" said Julien to himself, "it is the grande dame; I fancied for a moment that I saw the half of myself."
She bowed first, and asked him if he were Monsieur Julien Thierry. He bowed to the ground as he said with a hypocritical expression of doubt:
"Madame la Comtesse d'Estrelle?"
What trifling! as if they had any occasion to ask questions before taking possession of each other.
"Is madame your mother out?"
"No, madame, I will call her."
And he did not stir; his feet seemed to be nailed to the floor.
"She is with my cousin Marcel Thierry," he added; "shall I tell him to come down and receive his orders?"
"Do not call anybody. I will go up if you will show me the way. But stay," she added, seeing that Julien was incapable of moving. "Perhaps it will be well to notify madame your mother. I did not see her yesterday; perhaps she is not well?"