answer, even by a wave of the hand, she went on: "I prefer that: don't
reply: don't say that it is all over. You might make a mistake, you
know."

For a moment Mathieu's eyes flashed, then he closed them in order that he
might no longer see Seraphine, who was leaning towards him. It seemed as
if all the past were coming back. She almost pressed her lips to his as
she whispered that she still loved him; and when he drew back, full of
mingled emotion and annoyance, she raised her little hand to his mouth as
if she feared that he was again going to say no.

"Be quiet," said she; "they are coming."

The Moranges were now indeed returning with Reine, whose hair had been
curled. The child looked quite delicious in her frock of rose silk decked
with white lace, and her large hat trimmed with some of the dress
material. Her gay round face showed with flowery delicacy under the rose
silk.

"Oh, what a love!" exclaimed Seraphine by way of pleasing the parents.
"Somebody will be stealing her from me, you know."

Then it occurred to her to kiss the child in passionate fashion, feigning
the emotion of a woman who regrets that she is childless. "Yes; indeed
one regrets it very much when one sees such a treasure as this sweet girl
of yours. Ah! if one could only be sure that God would give one such a
charming child--well, at all events, I shall steal her from you; you need
not expect me to bring her back again."

The enraptured Moranges laughed delightedly. And Mathieu, who knew her