“Things have not come to that pass yet, I have every reason to believe. I know where and when she has seen him, and what he has said to her. She only regards him with esteem, you may be sure.”
After deciding on his plans, Albert had but one wish—to put them at once in execution. That very evening at dinner he directed the conversation to Louis. Mme. Smithson heartily praised the engineer. Mr. Smithson neither praised nor spoke disparagingly of him. He kept his suspicions with regard to Louis to himself. He was not in the habit of doing anything hastily, but had fully made up his mind to dismiss him if he found him as thorough a Catholic as he had reason to believe; that is, an overzealous one, secretly contriving with the curé all sorts of dark plots, the idea of which alarmed him.
Eugénie, in a perfectly natural manner, confirmed all her mother had said, spoke of the good works he had undertaken, and finally mentioned the part she had had in them.
“I also should be delighted to participate in all these laudable undertakings,” said Albert. “I must tell you, dear cousin, that I am beginning to be reasonable. I take an interest in studying the great social problems, especially the extinction of pauperism, and the moral improvement of the lower classes.”
Mr. Smithson gave Albert an incredulous look, and Eugénie broke out into unrestrained laughter.
“Well,” said Albert, intimidated and cut to the quick, “you shall see if what I tell you is not true! To-morrow I will visit this wonderful school, and offer my services to the person who has charge of it. I rather think they will not be refused.”
“Oh!” said Eugénie, “how amusing it will be to see you drilling under M. Louis’ orders!... You will soon have enough of it.”
“You think me fickle, then?”
“Rather so.”
“You are mistaken. I always like the same things, and especially the same people, my dear cousin.”