"Oh, really?" asked Constance, innocently. "Don't they ever come?"
"Auntie Ruyvenaer just once in a way; but the other aunts never."
"Oh? Don't they?" asked Constance, putting on an air of great surprise and rather playing with Marianne's bewilderment.
"Didn't you know?"
"No, I didn't know. But I don't call that very civil of the aunts. It's different with the uncles: men are not expected to pay visits. But I'm surprised at the two aunts, Marianne."
Marianne did not know what to say. She was not accustomed to weigh her words or to think that another might say things which she did not really mean. Nervously constituted as she was, she had something candid about her, something honest and frank.
"Well, I shall tell them," said Constance, with a laugh, "that they owe the same politeness to a sister as to any one else."
"Oh, Auntie, I don't think Aunt Adeline or Aunt Cateau or Aunt Adolphine would care to come!" said Marianne, not doubting Constance' good faith for a moment.
"Oh, wouldn't they?" said Constance, coolly. "Yes, I suppose Aunt Adeline is always so busy with the children. And Aunt Cateau...."
She did not complete her sentence, for two men, knowing that she was Mrs. van Naghel's sister, were asking to be introduced to her.