"I won't go to bed till twelve o'clock," Jeanne cried, as her mother, with parting injunctions, went out, followed by the others. "I shall sit up and cry all the evening."
"Nine o'clock, my dear," said Madame Perrault serenely. "You know what I said about Saturday."
The door was slammed behind them and, as they filed downstairs, they heard Jeanne go stamping back into the salon.
"Don't you think you're severe with the child, Mathilde?" said Berthier.
"No, Félix, not too severe, if you mean that. It's the only way to keep her in check. She has too much spirit. I'm afraid of it sometimes."
"That's just the way you used to be at her age," he laughed.
"And that's just why I mean to keep her down," she replied, almost sternly.
"Jeanne has all the spirit of the family," said Berthier, glancing at Jules.
After the performance they returned to the apartment for supper. Jules was surprised to find the table steaming with hot dishes, bright with flowers and with wine-glasses. Madeleine, who seemed to be in the secret, put on an apron, and proceeded to assist Charlotte.
"We've prepared a little feast for you," Madame Perrault explained, "in honour of Blanche's engagement. Félix has provided the champagne."