"No; not at all!" And then Bijou added sorrowfully: "It is you who ought rather to be angry with me. But you are mistaken, I assure you! M. Spiegel, who is very polite, has taken notice of me simply because I am the grandchild of his hostess, and not for any other reason."
"He has taken notice of you for the same reason which makes everyone take notice of you—just because you are adorable, and you know that very well!"
"Oh, no! I—"
"It was quite certain that he would be fascinated by you, just as all the others are, and I was very silly not to have foreseen what would happen. I counted too much on his affection—I thought that he loved me just as I love him—I was mistaken, that's all!"
"Then I shall not see anything more of you? You will avoid all opportunities of meeting me?"
"No; we shall spend the whole of the day together at the paper-chase."
"As you will be driving, and I shall be riding, I shall not be much in your way."
Bijou was silent for a minute, and then she began again in an anxious tone:
"You don't think, at any rate, that it is my fault—what has happened?"
"No," answered Jeanne; "I don't think anything, except that you are a charming girl, and I am merely common-place. Bijou, dear, don't make yourself wretched about it, please!"