"Now, please just leave the doctor quiet," said she, adding gayly, "Good
morning, doctor. I'm much obliged to you for this bright sunshine, for
I'm sure you ordered it so that I might go for a walk this afternoon."

"Why, yes, of course I ordered it--I was passing this way, and thought I
would look in to see how you were getting on."

Boutan took a chair and seated himself near the table, while Mathieu
explained to him that they had remained late in bed.

"Yes, that is all right, let her rest: but she must also take as much
exercise as possible. However, there is no cause to worry. I see that she
has a good appetite. When I find my patients at table, I cease to be a
doctor, you know, I am simply a friend making a call."

Then he put a few questions, which the children, who were busy
breakfasting, did not hear. And afterwards there came a pause in the
conversation, which the doctor himself resumed, following, no doubt, some
train of thought which he did not explain: "I hear that you are to lunch
with the Seguins next Thursday," said he. "Ah! poor little woman! That is
a terrible affair of hers."

With a gesture he expressed his feelings concerning the drama that had
just upset the Seguins' household. Valentine, like Marianne, was to
become a mother. For her part she was in despair at it, and her husband
had given way to jealous fury. For a time, amid all their quarrels, they
had continued leading their usual life of pleasure, but she now spent her
days on a couch, while he neglected her and reverted to a bachelor's
life. It was a very painful story, but the doctor was in hopes that
Marianne, on the occasion of her visit to the Seguins, might bring some