“Assuredly, if a woman mislikes him as I mislike Monsieur Regnard Cheverny.”
“But you show great good-will toward Monsieur Gaston Cheverny—and they are as like as two peas.”
“Outwardly, yes. Inwardly, never were two men so unlike. Come now, Babache, do you not love Monsieur Gaston?”
“Yes, with all my heart.”
“And do you not love Monsieur Regnard?”
I saw whither she was leading me, but I could only say:
“No—I do not love him.”
“Well—they are as like as two peas.”
She turned her head at the sound of galloping hoofs. Gaston was riding toward us. The blood that poured into Francezka’s cheeks, the light that shone in her eyes, showed plainly how welcome was his society. I afterward asked Gaston if Regnard had given him a message from Francezka. He said no; but seeing Regnard return with a black countenance, he thought to try his luck with mademoiselle—and was rewarded for so doing.