However, we mustn't talk about all that this morning, since we want to
enjoy ourselves."
At last the train reached Paris, and the Lepailleurs, leaving the
Northern terminus, were caught and carried off by the impetuously
streaming crowd.
When Mathieu and Marianne alighted from their cab on the Quai d'Orsay, in
front of the Beauchenes' residence, they recognized the Seguins' brougham
drawn up beside the foot pavement. And within it they perceived the two
girls, Lucie and Andree, waiting mute and motionless in their
light-colored dresses. Then, as they approached the door, they saw
Valentine come out, in a very great hurry as usual. On recognizing them,
however, she assumed an expression of deep pity, and spoke the words
required by the situation:
"What a frightful misfortune, is it not? an only son!"
Then she burst out into a flood of words: "You have hastened here, I see,
as I did; it is only natural. I heard of the catastrophe only by chance
less than an hour ago. And you see my luck! My daughters were dressed,
and I myself was dressing to take them to a wedding--a cousin of our
friend Santerre is marrying a diplomatist.
Pages:
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409