But the girl, whose whole being revolted against this scheme of her father's fabrication, felt naturally indignant and could not help exaggerating his faults.
She felt greatly relieved when her father told her to prepare the supper.
It may here be noted that Mr. Rougeant had now altogether dispensed with his Breton servant. Now that Adèle was growing up, a servant was altogether superfluous, he said. The truth was that this enabled him to save a few pounds every year.
When the table was laid, the three sat down to supper. It being over, the two men returned to the parlour. Adèle was a long, very long time in putting away the supper things.
Her father noticed this, and when she entered the parlour, he remarked: "You've been long enough."
"Provided she has not been too long," put in his nephew, trying to win his cousin's good will.
After one of the most miserable evenings that Adèle had ever spent, Tom took leave of the family.
When he was fairly out of the way, Adèle ventured to ask her father what he had come for.
"He came to see us," he replied, then, after a pause, he added abruptly: "Have you ever thought of marrying?"
"I, marry! you forget that I am but a child."