“Dear old father! You gave him a real treat, for which he will always be obliged to you.”
“I trust the recollection of to-day will efface that of the blot of ink, for which I am still filled with remorse.”
“Remorse is rather a serious word.”
“No, Mademoiselle, I really mean remorse, for I wounded the feelings of a gentleman who has every claim on my respect. I never have dared to speak of this before. But if you would be kind enough to tell Monsieur Charnot how sorry I have been for it, you would relieve me of a burden.”
I saw her eyes fixed upon me for a moment with a look of attention not previously granted to me. She seemed pleased.
“With all my heart,” she said.
There was a moment’s silence.
“Was this Rafaella, whose story you have told me, worthy of your friend’s long regret?”
“I must believe so.”
“It is a very touching story. Are you fond of Monsieur Lampron?”