Monsieur Roger smiled in his turn, and said,—
"What! has Miss Miette already made her choice?"
"It is an amusing bit of childishness," answered Madame Dalize, "as you see. But, really, Miss Miette, although she teases him often, has a very kindly feeling for our friend Paul Solange."
"And who is this happy little mortal?" asked Monsieur Roger.
"A friend of Albert's," said Monsieur Dalize.
"Albert, your son?" said Monsieur Roger, to whom this name and this word were always painful. Then he added,—
"I should like very much to see him, your son."
"You shall soon see him, my dear Roger," answered Monsieur Dalize. "Vacation begins to-morrow morning, and to-morrow evening Albert will be at Sainte-Gemme."
"With Paul?" asked Miss Miette.
"Why, certainly," said Madame Dalize, laughing; "with your friend Paul Solange."