She passed to the window, casting a longing glance at the dark window opposite. Surprised at Geneviève's silence, she turned, a little provoked. The child was crying.
"Dear Geneviève!" she cried, springing to her side and taking her in her arms. "Don't try to thank me; I understand."
But the girl, through her sobs, murmured again and again, "Thank you, ah, thank you!"
"But it is I who am thankful," Nicole protested. "You bring me something to love and to care for. I was getting used to solitude, which is dangerous."
Checking her thanks, she snuffed the candle, stretching out upon the bed beside the girl.
"Yes, it is bad for one to be always alone," she said.
Geneviève timidly covered her hands with kisses.
"No, no, kiss me on the cheek," Nicole said. "And now, if you are going to obey, go right to sleep."
The child nestled closer, drawing Nicole's arm about her. The embrace seemed strange to Nicole, and, without quite understanding why, she sought to draw her arm away.