They started in the direction of the carriage, in front of which Monsieur de Moras was awaiting them, and while walking side by side:
"What a lovely country!" resumed Julia. "And the sea quite near?"
"Quite near."
"We'll take a ride on horseback after breakfast, will we not?"
"Quite willingly; but you must be horribly fatigued, my dear child. Excuse me! my dear—? By the way, how do you wish me to call you?"
"Call me madam. I was such a bad child!"
And she broke forth into a roll of that sudden, graceful, but somewhat equivocal laughter that was habitual with her. Then raising her voice:
"You may come, Pierre; your friend is my friend now!"
She left the two men shaking hands cordially, and exchanging the usual greetings, jumped into the carriage, and resuming her seat at her mother's side:
"Mother," she said, kissing her at the same time, "the meeting came off very well—didn't it, Monsieur de Lucan?"