“Oh! you have reached the age, uncle, when visits from you are of no consequence.”
“What do you say, niece? Do you know that I am still quite capable of making conquests? And if I chose——”
“But I am sure that you do not choose, my dear uncle. Go up to that lady’s room, I beg you.”
“I will go, but I will not answer for the consequences.”
When her uncle had left us, Caroline turned to me, and said in a tone which denoted a depth of feeling that I had not supposed her to possess:
“Why were you going away so suddenly and without seeing me? Tell me why, I beg you.”
“Urgent business summoned me to Paris.”
“I do not believe that; you had no letter yesterday. What had I done to you to cause such an abrupt departure? Had I said anything which hurt you? I am sometimes so foolish, so thoughtless——”
“No, mademoiselle, far from it. I am overwhelmed by your kindness, your indulgence.”
“My kindness! my indulgence! anyone would think that you were talking to your tutor! But why were you going, then?”