She reappeared much later, and was rebuked by her father for having shown such discourtesy to his guests.
"You know very well, papa dear, that I am very grateful to Doctor
Potain, and I should not have gone away if he had been alone."
M. and Mme. Darbois looked at each other and at Esperance.
"Yes, my dear little mother, the Duke makes himself too agreeable for your big daughter."
"But," said the philosopher, "I have never noticed it."
"You were absorbed in a philosophic discussion with the Doctor, and the Duke was not speaking very loud."
"Can you not be more definite?" asked François Darbois a little nervously.
Jean intervened, "May I say something?"
"Certainly, my boy."
"Well then. I heard the Duke de Morlay-La-Branche make fun of the honesty of Count Styvens, and at that Esperance abruptly broke off the conversation."