The little hussar laughed. "You are sharp-eyed, mamma."
"Had you watched him before the painting of Eve—but enough. Do nothing to cause disquiet to Natalie."
The little man, thus admonished, promised to carefully observe her wishes; the more readily as he was aware how important the friendship of Natalie was to his mama (in view of the pending adjustment of accounts). The more he studied Leonard, the more amusing he found him. To "do" Paris (not, indeed, to the extent of the capacity of that capital) in company with a priest, was, in itself, a piquant experience. "It is like demonstrating to your director how easy it is to sin," he declared; "and ce bon Leonarr, he imposes no penance. Tiens! These others, these Protestants, they have it easy."
"He does not essay to pervert," observed the Marquise in some alarm.
"Be not uneasy. Would I be of a religion whose priests marry? Think of the wife of my confessor knowing all my peccadillos!"
"Forgive me. My anxiety was but momentary——"
"Meanwhile, let me help this pauvre garçon, whose eyes have, since infancy, been bandaged, to see a little bit of the world. It is delightful to note his delight."
"But with discretion, Adolphe."
"Do I not assure you he is an anchorite. You have yourself observed that he drinks no wine."
"A penance, doubtless. Père Martin is also abstemious."