“Oh, yes, mother, we will wait; for we must see him when we came to Paris on purpose.”
The concierge rejoined with exasperating indifference:
“It won’t do you any good to wait; Monsieur de Grandvilain is travelling and he may not come home for ten days or a fortnight.”
“Travelling!” cried Louise; “oh dear! it’s very annoying! Where is he travelling, monsieur? in which direction? Has he gone far?”
“My master didn’t tell me.”
“But tell us at least whether he’s well?” said Nicole; “is he happy? is he enjoying himself in Paris?”
“Monsieur le marquis is in perfect health.”
“Thank God! But why does he go travelling without coming to see us?—Monsieur, are those young foreign ladies who dance so well travelling with—with Monsieur Chérubin?”
“I couldn’t tell you.”
Nicole and the young girl returned to Gagny, sadly disappointed that they had not been able to embrace Chérubin; but the nurse said to Louise: