"I don’t know what the matter is with me, but I am tired so soon."
They hastened to offer a seat to the young lady, who eyed from the height of her grandeur the young women to whom Alfred had offered his arm.
"These gardens are immense!" said Eudoxie; "but it seems to me that they might have been arranged in a more mysterious way."
"Mesdames," said Edouard, "it is Monsieur Jules’s intention to arrange them so; but he has not yet had time to carry out all the improvements that he plans; so you must excuse him if his property is still somewhat in confusion, for his keen desire to receive you did not allow him to wait until everything was entirely finished."
"Ah! this gentleman is very agreeable," said one of the young women; "he takes so much trouble to entertain us."
"Besides, mesdames," said Alfred, "you must remember that you are at a bachelor’s house, and that quality should induce you to overlook many things."
"That quality!" said Cornélie, pressing her lips together; "do you call that a quality, monsieur?"
"It is at all events a condition which entitles one to be excused for many thoughtless acts."
"You abuse the privilege sometimes, messieurs!" said Eudoxie, making eyes at Edouard, who was gazing at the foliage.
"However," rejoined Alfred smiling, "I believe that our friend does not intend to retain long that title upon which you ladies make war."