"Do you know where it was that he went?" she asked, after a moment's pause.
"It was in Canada," Madame Everaert repeated, "and he lived among the savages; if madame is from Canada, she would know where the savages live."
"There are very few savages now," Mrs. Costello answered with a smile. "I know where there used to be some—possibly that was the very place."
"No doubt. I shall tell the good father that madame knows it."
"Stay. Don't be quite sure that it is the place. Canada is a very large country."
"Still it is so singular that madame should come from there. Father Paul will be delighted."
Mrs. Costello thought a minute. She was greatly tempted to wish to see this priest who might have known her husband. She need not betray herself to him. For the rest, she had noticed him often, and thought what a good, pleasant face he had—a little too round and rosy perhaps, but very honest and not vulgar. He might be an agreeable visitor, even if he had no other claim on her.
"Do you think," she said, "that he would mind coming to see me? I should be very glad to receive him."
"I am sure he would be charmed. He likes so much to talk of Canada."
"Will you say to him then, please, that I have lived there many years and should be very pleased to have a chat with him about it. I might be able to give him news."