The count looked at Bijou with an admiration which he did not attempt to dissimulate, as he answered emphatically:
"You an old maid? oh, never in the world, never!"
Madame de Bracieux was just entering the room.
"How glad I am to see you!" she said, looking delighted, and holding out her hands to her visitor.
As Denyse was moving towards the door, the marchioness called her back.
"I see Bijou has introduced herself," she said to Clagny, who had not yet got over his admiration, "What do you think of my grand-daughter?" And then, without giving him time to answer, she went on quickly: "It's just the same Bijou you used to admire years ago, just the same! the genuine Bijou, there's no sham about it, as my grandsons would say."
"Mademoiselle Denyse is charming."
"Denyse (and, by the way, you will oblige me by not calling her mademoiselle) is a dear, good girl, obedient and devoted. Her gaiety has brightened up my old house, which was gloomy enough before her arrival."
"How is it that I have never seen Mademoiselle Denyse——"
"Mademoiselle again!"