Then she bent over her and said more softly:
"Dear heart, it wasn't because of that? . . ."
Annette interrupted her:
"No! No!"
But Sylvie insisted.
"Don't lie! Tell me the truth. Tell me! Tell your little one! It was because of him?"
Annette, wiping her eyes and trying to smile, replied:
"No, I assure you. . . . I was a little hurt, it's true. . . . It's foolish. . . . But it's all over now. I'm glad he loves you."
Sylvie jumped up and struck her hands angrily together.
"So it was he! Oh! But I don't love him, I don't love him any more, that creature! . . ."