"Very well, thank you. I thought I heard Philip."
"He is in there, changing his coat." And, remarking that Dora had brought in a handful of pansies, he added—
"More pansies?"
"Why more? Ah! that is true, you have some also, I see."
De Lussac reddened to the tips of his ears.
"Yes! A minute ago Philip was telling me the history of your 'little family,' and when he went out I could not resist the temptation of taking another peep at the little packet that he had left in my hand, and which contains the prologue of your love affairs."
Seeing himself caught in the act he did not hesitate to tell this little fib, so as to reinstate himself in Dora's good graces. She was taken in by it.
"Give the packet to me; you are a very wicked man—these are not for the profane; and Philip is still more wicked than you are to show them to you."
She put the packet back again. She was vexed, almost humiliated. Why had Philip mentioned the story of the pansies to Monsieur de Lussac? It could interest no one, except the two lovers, who had thus repeated their vows. Why had Philip shown him the packet? In her eyes, it was an almost ungentlemanly act. She passed a hand across her forehead, as if to brush away the ideas that came to her mind, and smiled good-humouredly once more.
"I believe you are jealous," said she gaily.