"Oh!" There was a suggestion of a sneer in her tone, and Jules looked up in surprise.
"Of course, it's nothing compared with yours," he said, to console her.
"When is she going to begin?" she asked, after a moment.
"Going to begin? Do you mean here in London? Marshall hasn't signed with her yet. She's engaged in Manchester for three weeks longer."
"Then I shall have to go on with my dive till she comes?"
"I suppose so," Jules replied coldly.
She saw that he did not wish to continue the conversation; so she went into the nursery, leaving him lying on the couch, where he often took an afternoon nap; since coming to London he had grown very lazy, and had gained flesh. Blanche found Jeanne wide awake and crowing in Madeleine's arms. She sat beside the cradle, and taking the child in her lap, sent Madeleine out of the room. Jeanne snatched at the brooch she wore at her throat, and laughed into her face. Blanche tried to smile in reply, but the tears welled into her eyes again, and fell in big drops on her cheeks.