heart by surprise, she received him but coldly. This aversion,
discerned only by her mother's eyes, was a constant subject of
admonition.

"Rosalie, I cannot imagine why you affect such coldness towards
Amedee. Is it because he is a friend of the family, and because we
like him--your father and I?"

"Well, mamma," replied the poor child one day, "if I made him welcome,
should I not be still more in the wrong?"

"What do you mean by that?" cried Madame de Watteville. "What is the
meaning of such words? Your mother is unjust, no doubt, and according
to you, would be so in any case! Never let such an answer pass your
lips again to your mother--" and so forth.

This quarrel lasted three hours and three-quarters. Rosalie noted the
time. Her mother, pale with fury, sent her to her room, where Rosalie
pondered on the meaning of this scene without discovering it, so
guileless was she. Thus young Monsieur de Soulas, who was supposed by
every one to be very near the end he was aiming at, all neckcloths
set, and by dint of pots of patent blacking--an end which required so
much waxing of his moustaches, so many smart waistcoats, wore out so
many horseshoes and stays--for he wore a leather vest, the stays of
the _lion_--Amedee, I say, was further away than any chance comer,
although he had on his side the worthy and noble Abbe de Grancey.

* * * * *

"Madame," said Monsieur de Soulas, addressing the Baroness, while