Paul was within a few yards of Honorine, and the peasants speedily informed him what that lady had done for them at the sale. Thereupon he turned and bowed very low to her, saying:
“I am fortunate, madame, to have been able to imitate you in something!”
“You have done much more than I, monsieur,” Honorine replied, lowering her eyes.
“The merit of a good deed, madame, consists not in its money value, but in the way of doing it.”
And, after gazing earnestly for several seconds at the young woman, Paul bowed again to her and Agathe, and walked away, calling his dog, who was loath to leave Agathe and the farmer’s family, whom he seemed to look upon as old acquaintances.
Then Honorine took her friend’s arm, saying to her in a voice trembling with emotion:
“Let us return home; I am well satisfied with my day’s work!”
“And I trust that you will not think ill of Monsieur Paul any more now?”
“Hush! what are you talking about?”
“For my part, I am awfully sorry that Monsieur Edmond did not see all that took place here; I am sure that he would have been pleased with the happiness of that poor family. But we will tell him all about it.”