'Show him up here,' said madame. 'Do not stir from your seat, Gabrielle. I must see what it was that made you blush.'
The door immediately opened to admit Nicholas, who on entering stood shyly, hat in one hand, and a little statuette in the other.
He looked first at Gabrielle and then at Madame Plomb, with his large eyes full of bewilderment.
The leaden lady smiled.
'Is this the M. Nicholas of whom you so often speak?' she asked.
Gabrielle became crimson. Nicholas at the same moment radiated joy and nodded to the girl.
'This is the M. Nicholas Deschwanden who can tell you all about his land of mountains and lakes,' she said.
'That is capital,' exclaimed the lady. 'Sit down, young man, and tell me all about Switzerland.'
'Ah! good madame, how could I tell you all in one breath? Switzerland would take a lifetime to describe. And again, what description can adequately express its glories?'
'You have snowy mountains there,' said madame.