"What! are you left all alone?" exclaimed Mathieu on perceiving the young
couple seated side by side on a little couch in the big room on the first
floor, which Seguin had once called his "cabinet."
"Why, yes, we are alone in the house," Andree answered with a charming
laugh. "We are very pleased at it."
They looked adorable, thus seated side by side--she so gentle, of such
tender beauty--he with all the fascinating charm that was blended with
his strength.
"Isn't Celeste there at any rate?" again inquired Mathieu.
"No, she has disappeared we don't know where." And again they laughed
like free frolicsome birds ensconced in the depths of some lonely forest.
"Well, you cannot be very lively all alone like this."
"Oh! we don't feel at all bored, we have so many things to talk about.
And then we look at one another. And there is never an end to it all."
Though her heart bled, Constance could not help admiring them. Ah, to
think of it! Such grace, such health, such hope! While in her home all
was blighted, withered, destroyed, that race of Froments seemed destined
to increase forever! For this again was a conquest--those two children
left free to love one another, henceforth alone in that sumptuous mansion
which to-morrow would belong to them.
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