said nothing whatever about the visit to Polignac. He was very kind
to Mimmy, and very courteous to her mother, but did not appear to be
at all more particular than usual. Indeed, it might be a question
whether he was not less so. As she had entered the room Mrs.
Thompson had said to herself that, perhaps, after all, it would be
better that there should be nothing more thought about it; but
before the four of five courses were over, she was beginning to feel
a little disappointed.

And now the fruit was on the table, after the consumption of which
it was her practice to retire. It was certainly open to her to ask
M. Lacordaire to take tea with her that evening, as she had done on
former occasions; but she felt that she must not do this now,
considering the immediate circumstances of the case. If any further
steps were to be taken, they must be taken by him, and not by her;--
or else by Mimmy, who, just as her mother was slowly consuming her
last grapes, ran round to the back of M. Lacordaire's chair, and
whispered something into his ear. It may be presumed that Mrs.
Thompson did not see the intention of the movement in time to arrest
it, for she did nothing till the whispering had been whispered; and
then she rebuked the child, bade her not to be troublesome, and with
more than usual austerity in her voice, desired her to get herself
ready to go up stairs to their chamber.

As she spoke she herself rose from her chair, and made her final
little bow to the table, and her other final little bow and smile to
M. Lacordaire; but this was certain to all who saw it, that the
smile was not as gracious as usual.

As she walked forth, M. Lacordaire rose from his chair--such being