"Indeed! I am sure that it is an acquaintance which will be agreeable to your husband too."
"Why, I hope so."
"My dear Dubourg," said Ménard, "madame does not tell you that she has taken into her family an unfortunate woman and her son; she doesn't boast of her good deeds."
"Hush, Monsieur Ménard! as if that young woman did not deserve all that I have done for her! Could I have placed my benefactions more wisely?"
"I agree that she has learned to work beautifully; I expect very soon to teach her to read."
"You will see, Monsieur Dubourg, how pretty and how interesting she is. And then, her child, a boy of two, is a charming little fellow."
"Ah! she has a son, has she?"
"Yes; and I am sure that you will agree with me that he looks like—— But I want you to see for yourself; I will go and find her."
Constance was already in the garden.
"The dear soul!" said Dubourg; "what a happy mortal Frédéric ought to be! And yet, here he is travelling already!"