These artless remarks put the handsome lieutenant out of countenance: he blushed hotly, but he pressed the little hand held out to him so simply, and with such a look of frank pleasure. He stammered some excuse for not having recognised her. He bowed pleasantly to Wilhelmine's companion, Mademoiselle Berthe.
Wilhelmine turned to her.
"This meeting was not prearranged: it is one of pure chance." The tone was defensive without a touch of the apologetic.
Mademoiselle Berthe smiled, and declared that she had not for a moment supposed that the meeting had been prearranged.
De Loubersac gazed considerably at the two girls. Wilhelmine was looking particularly pretty. Beneath her fur toque shone masses of her pale gold hair, framing a charming little face. A long velvet coat with ermine stole suggested the youthful contours of her slender figure. Mademoiselle Berthe wore rough blue cloth, and a large hat trimmed with wings, which set off her piquant face with its irregular features and ruddy locks.
Wilhelmine and Henri de Loubersac strolled on together in the direction of the Hippodrome. Mutual protestations of love were, exchanged. Presently Wilhelmine asked:
"But what brought you in this direction?"
"Oh, I was going ... to pay a visit ... it is a piece of very good luck my coming across you like this."
De Loubersac seemed to have something on his mind. Despite his protestations he did not look as if he were enjoying this chance meeting.
"Where were you bound for, Wilhelmine?" he asked.