Barabant forgot the curious impression she first had made upon him. He saw only a face with great capabilities of expression: mobile, flexible, obeying the capricious thought. The eyes more than ever arrested his attention and baffled it. They opened to him a way; but when he looked it was as though penetrating into a vast darkness.
"Why do you look at me so?"
Barabant recovered to find Louison at his elbow, her purchase made, regarding him with amusement.
"You mystify me," he said frankly. "There is something about you I cannot place. What is it?"
She shook her head.
"Don't. Besides—Nicole."
"You have been very solicitous to leave me to Nicole," he said, with a smile. "You choose excellent means to gain your end."
He had expected to catch her confused and blushing. Instead, she discovered a row of white teeth, and nodding her head, said:
"Eh, you are not so slow after all." Before he could reply, she exclaimed, "Hello, there's mama!"