"No, I don't know what it was; I don't remember! I was a little upset after my accident, you know!" And then, as M. de Clagny remained silent, she asked: "Tell me, what could I have said that was so interesting?"
He repeated her words slowly, watching Bijou all the time attentively, as she listened with an amused air, her pretty lips parted.
"You said, 'I am so happy like this; I should like to stay here always.'"
"I don't remember saying that; but, anyhow, I was quite right, because it was perfectly true, you know!"
He drew Bijou to him, and asked:
"Truly, would it not alarm you to see me always near you like that?"
"Why, no, it would not alarm me! Oh, no, not at all!"
"Really and truly?"
"Really and truly! but why do you ask me that?"
"Oh, for no reason at all. Do you know whether Madame de Bracieux is up yet?"