“Ah, well, that’s all right! Get your handkerchief out, my poor Beauvallet, and I shall intrust this child to you, my dear Provost.”
It was only at that moment that I comprehended, and, wild with joy, I exclaimed:
“Then I have passed?”
“Yes, you have passed, and there is only one thing I regret, and that is that such a pretty voice should not be for music.”
I did not hear anything else, for I was beside myself with joy. I did not stay to thank anyone, but bounded to the door.
“Ma petite dame! Mademoiselle! I have passed!” I exclaimed, and when they shook hands and asked me no end of questions I could only reply:
“Oh, it’s quite true—I have passed, I have passed!”
I was surrounded and questioned.
“How do you know that you have passed? No one knows beforehand.”
“Yes, yes, I know, though. M. Auber told me. I am to go into M. Provost’s class. M. Beauvallet wanted me, but his voice is too loud for me!”