Then she went quickly on her way.
As soon as they were back on the Boulevard Raspail and home, Esperance and her mother moved towards the library. Marguerite, the maid, stopped them. "Monsieur has gone out. He was so restless. Is Mademoiselle satisfied?"
"I was; but I am not any more, Marguerite, since papa is not here. Was he feeling badly?"
"Well, he was not very cheerful, Mademoiselle, but I should not say that there was anything really the matter with him."
Mother and daughter started. Someone was coming upstairs. Esperance ran to the door and fell into the arms of that dearly-loved parent. He kissed her tenderly. His eyes were damp.
"Come, come, dear, that I may tell you…."
"Your lunch is ready," announced Marguerite.
"Thank you," replied Esperance; "papa, mama, and I, we are all dying of hunger."
Madame Darbois gently removed her daughter's hat.
"Please, dear papa, I want to tell you everything."