"You don't care much for him, do you?" asked Jeanne.
"What makes you think that?—he is quite indifferent to me, and I always look upon him as being just like everyone else."
"Oh, no; that is not true—I see him pretty often at Pont-sur-Loire; he is very intelligent, and very nice, and then, too, very good-looking; don't you think so?"
"I assure you that I have never paid much attention to M. de Bernès and his appearance," and then Bijou added, laughing: "The very first time I see him, I will look at him with all my eyes, and I will endeavour to discover his perfections to please M. de Clagny."
"You like him very much, don't you—M. de Clagny?"
"Oh, yes, indeed I do."
"I noticed that at once; ever since my arrival you have only talked of him; and yesterday, when he came, you were delighted."
"Yes, he is so good, and so kind to me."
"But everyone is kind to you, everyone adores you."
"Everyone is much too good and too indulgent, as far as I am concerned; I know that very well; but M. de Clagny is better still than the others. I have only known him three days, and now I could not do without him. Whenever I see him, I feel gay and happy at once; and I wish he were always here. I'll tell you what—I should like to have a father or an uncle like him. Doesn't he make the same kind of impression on you?"