Andree, though she is only thirteen, is already much more womanly. But
she is a little stupid, just like a sheep. Her gentleness quite upsets me
at times; it jars on my nerves."
Then Valentine, on the point of getting into her carriage, turned to
shake hands with Marianne, and thought of inquiring after her health.
"Really," said she, "I lose my head at times. I was quite forgetting. And
the baby you're expecting will be your eleventh child, will it now? How
terrible! Still it succeeds with you. And, ah! those poor people whom you
are going to see, their house will be quite empty now."
When the brougham had rolled away it occurred to Mathieu and Marianne
that before seeing the Beauchenes it might be advisable for them to call
at the little pavilion, where their son or their daughter-in-law might be
able to give them some useful information. But neither Blaise nor
Charlotte was there. They found only a servant who was watching over the
little girl, Berthe. This servant declared that she had not seen Monsieur
Blaise since the previous day, for he had remained at the Beauchenes'
near the body. And as for Madame, she also had gone there early that
morning, and had left instructions that Berthe was to be brought to her
at noon, in order that she might not have to come back to give her the
breast.
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