"That does credit to your good wife, monsieur, but everybody hasn't so pronounced a fondness for washing dishes; my friend and I are not conscious of a vocation for that—are we, Agathe?"
The pretty blonde smiled at her friend, and Monsieur Jarnouillard regarded Agathe for some moments.
"Is mademoiselle related to you?"
"No, monsieur, she is my friend."
"Ah! I see—her parents placed her in your care?"
The two ladies, who were beginning to be annoyed by their visitor's questions, thought fit not to answer; but their silence did not deter him.
"Is mademoiselle an orphan?—I beg pardon, I ask that because, as a general rule, it is well to be informed. For example, mademoiselle is naturally in the matrimonial market; well, when one knows the antecedents, the social position, the means, one may be able to propose a suitable match, and——"
"If I ever marry, monsieur," said Agathe, "it will be according to my own taste, and not by the interposition of strangers."
"We can't tell, mademoiselle, there's no knowing. I have arranged several marriages; they didn't turn out well, it is true, but one can never answer for results.—Really, you are very comfortable here, it is quite elegant. Let us see the other rooms."
And the gentleman rose and was about to walk into an adjoining room; but Honorine closed the door, observing somewhat curtly: