"No, not better, but they know so well how to dissemble; their speech is golden, their eyes deceptive, their manners—Ah, how glad I am that you have a talisman!"
"But, nurse, since I do not leave my room—"
"That's true, my dear; but you will not always keep your room, and under my watchful care it seems to me that one could very well allow you to take a little walk from time to time. M. Touquet is severe—very severe—to make me change my lodging because I noticed that he did not sleep at night. Is it my fault—mine—that he does not sleep?"
"He prevents me from opening my window."
"Ah, that is because it opens on the street; and if he knew you looked so often through the lattice—But no one can possibly see you; the panes are so small, so close together."
"Oh, yes; it is like a grating."
"A father could not be more strict."
"Ah, Marguerite, he stands to me in the place of mine."
"Yes, yes; I know it well; however, he is no relation—is he?"
"No, Marguerite; I believe not."