“And it would be so good to have these young people around me,” grandma added. “I love life and movement.”
“We shall go about the country in our auto,” Ethel continued. “We shall get up picnics, we shall have impromptu plays, with lanterns, when we have guests of an evening; and I count on Yvonne, Mme. de Grojean. It is granted in advance!”
“I should like it, if mama pleases,” ventured Yvonne, with a blush of pleasure.
“It is for grand’mère to decide, my dear Yvonne. Ask grand’mère. I am willing, if she is.”
The judge was about to pronounce. She meditated a moment. Mme. Rowrer and Miss Ethel were very kind, it was true. But would they always be present to look after Yvonne? Might not Yvonne sometimes go out alone with Monsieur William or Monsieur Phil? Her granddaughter walking with men! She hesitated no longer.
“It is impossible,” she said. “I thank you very much, Mlle. Rowrer, but it is impossible.”
The judge had pronounced, without appeal!
“Ah!” thought Ethel, “I understand how a young girl in France should take the husband they choose for her with eyes shut. It is to her own interest to escape from such family tyranny.”
“But we shall go to see Miss Ethel?” Yvonne asked.
“Oh, certainly! We shall go to pass an afternoon with you,” Mme. de Grojean said, encouraged by an indulgent smile from grand’mère, who, seated squarely in her arm-chair, murmured between her lips: