"And then he knows life. He has lived so much."
"That's true. Sometimes, when he's speaking to me, I fed as though a whole world were opening before me."
"He knows all there is to be known, the arts and the sciences, friendship and love, men, women.... He's seen a lot of them and of every variety."
This time it was Rose who paused a moment to reflect, then:
"That's why I have such immense confidence in him. It's a real happiness for me that he should come and spend his holidays here. I have learnt more in these few weeks than in all the other years of my life."
Leonor looked at Rose. He felt a powerful emotion, for to be loved like this seemed to him the height of felicity. He had never believed that it was possible to inspire a young girl with such ingenuous confidence. And how frank she was! What a divine simplicity!
"How does one make oneself so much loved? What's his secret? Ah! if only I dared ask more! But now, I don't even want to try and violate an intimacy so charming to contemplate. I'm looking at happiness, and it's such a rare sight."
He glanced at Rose once more.
"And with all that she's very pretty. How graceful she is under this aspect of wildness! What suppleness of form! Everything down to her complexion, gilded and freckled like an apple by the sun, looks lovely in these country surroundings. How well a wife like this would suit me; for I belong to this country and am destined to live here. Why couldn't Hervart have stayed among his Parisian women?"
"He must be very fond of you," he went on, "and I envy his happiness in being allowed to be your friend. I shall come back, since you so desire, but I would rather not come back."