"Those dear children!" said the old servant rising from her chair; "it is Providence which has brought them together, for they are made for one another. But it's nine o'clock, Monsieur Urbain, you must go."
"Nine o'clock already! The time is approaching when we need part no more, but the days seem very long now, because I spend them away from you."
"It's the same with me, dear; it seems to me that evening will never come."
"I haven't seen M. Touquet for some days."
"And you'll not see him this evening," said Marguerite; "he received a letter after dinner. It was no doubt some pressing matter of business, for he left immediately and has not yet returned."
"Good-by, then, dear Blanche."
"Good-by, my dear."
"Two days more. It seems a long time to wait."
"You have managed to live through a fortnight," said Marguerite.
"Yes, I don't know why, but these last few days seem to me as if they would be eternal."