Paul replied: "There they are! They are coming."
They recognized Gontran's laughter. This laughter relieved Charlotte from a crushing weight, which had oppressed her mind—she could not have explained why.
They were soon able to distinguish the pair. Gontran had almost broken into a running pace, dragging by the arm the young girl, who was quite flushed. And, even before they had come up, so great a hurry was he in to tell his story, he shouted:
"You don't know what we surprised. I give you a thousand guesses to discover it! The handsome Doctor Mazelli along with the daughter of the illustrious Professor Cloche, as Will would say, the pretty widow with the red hair. Oh! yes, indeed—surprised, you understand? He was embracing her, the scamp. Oh! yes—oh! yes."
Madame Honorat, at this immoderate display of gaiety, made a dignified movement:
"Oh! M. le Comte, think of these young ladies!"
Gontran made a respectful obeisance.
"You are perfectly right, dear Madame, to recall me to the proprieties. All your inspirations are excellent."
Then, in order that they might not be all seen going back together, the two young men bowed to the ladies, and returned through the wood to the village.
"Well?" asked Paul.