“Of course, we depend on you also, Paul,” she said, as she [[137]]gave him her hand. “Cela s’entend, n’est-ce pas? Come, little madam, you had better say yes; it won’t be nice at all of you to refuse; you may go at your usual early hour, if you like. Ce n’est pas à refuser.”
Well, little madam would consent; but she really did not feel at home with all that youth about her.
“That’s just the thing that does you good, a little cheerfulness. Look at Madame van Erlevoort,” said Eline; “take example by her.”
The old lady was not proof against the temptation of her darling’s voice, and gave herself over; Paul, too, promised to come. And Madame van Raat looked at Eline, who sat beside her on the sofa, with some curiosity, as though she were revolving something in her mind.
“I say, Eline, I must ask you something,” commenced Madame van Raat at length, in a whisper. “Is it true?”
Eline felt a faint blush tinge her cheeks, but she acted as though she did not understand the question.
“What, little madam? how do you mean?” The old lady smiled, but gave no explanation. She only asked—
“Frédérique is coming too this evening, is she not?”
“I think so, at least——” began Eline.
“Alone?”