"It is my mother;" then turned to his mother and took her hand; they had been for months estranged, but now they silently kissed.
"He is sleeping," said Honoré. "Maman, Madame Nancanou."
The ladies bowed--the one looking very large and splendid, the other very sweet and small. There was a single instant of silence, and Aurora burst into tears.
For a moment Madame Grandissime assumed a frown that was almost a reminder of her brother's, and then the very pride of the Fusiliers broke down. She uttered an inaudible exclamation, drew the weeper firmly into her bosom, and with streaming eyes and choking voice, but yet with majesty, whispered, laying her hand on Aurora's head:
"Never mind, my child; never mind; never mind."
And Honoré's sister, when she was presently introduced, kissed Aurora and murmured:
"The good God bless thee! It is He who has brought us together."
"Who is with him just now?" whispered the two other ladies, while Honoré and his mother stood a moment aside in hurried consultation.
"My daughter," said Aurora, "and--"
"Agamemnon," suggested Madame Martinez.