"Oh, you need some time to yourself," replied M. Vulfran.
"I assure you that I am not at all tired," said Perrine.
"Very well, then," said the blind man; "follow me into the study."
The library was a big somber room separated from the dining room by the hall. There was a strip of carpet laid from one room to the other, which was a guide for the blind man. He now walked direct to the room opposite.
Perrine had wondered how he spent his time when he was alone, as he could not read. From the appearance of the room one could not guess, for the large table was covered with papers and magazines. Before the window stood a large Voltaire chair, upholstered in tapestry. The chair was rather worn. This seemed to indicate that the blind man sat for long hours face to face with the sky, the clouds of which he could never see.
"What could you read to me?" he asked Perrine.
"A newspaper," she said, "if you wish. There are some on the table."
"The less time one gives to the newspapers the better," he replied. "Do you like books on travels?"
"Yes, sir; I do," she said.
"I do, too," he said. "They amuse one as well as instruct one."