Part 32 (2/2)
”And did that interest you?”
”Very much, indeed.”
”Good heavens! what could you find interesting in it all?”
”Well, I don't exactly know; I was curious to hear about it, in the first place, and then I always notice everything, and this little story explained exactly something I had observed.”
”When?”
”Why, during the last four or five months, ever since I have begun going out a little.”
”What had you observed?”
”I had observed that M. de Bernes never pays attention to any woman, that he never even looks at anyone, that he scarcely takes the trouble to be pleasant, even with the prettiest girls; and the proof of all this is, that he has not tried to flirt with you even.”
”Oh, not at all,” answered Bijou, laughing; ”but just because he has not tried to flirt with me, you must not conclude that with others.”
”No, Mere Rafut must be right, and, after all, I am not at all surprised about it--this story, I mean; you have no idea how charming she is, this Lisette Renaud. Something in your style; she is much taller than you, though, and not so fair; but she has the most wonderful eyes, and a lovely, graceful figure, almost as graceful as yours; in short, I can quite understand that, when anyone does care for her, they would care for her in earnest; then, added to all that, she has a great deal of talent and a beautiful voice--a contralto. I am sure you would like her.”
”I don't think so.”
”Why?”
”I don't like women who act comedy--those who act well, at least; it denotes a kind of duplicity.”
”Oh, I don't think so; it denotes a faculty of a.s.similation, a very sensitive nature, but not duplicity.”
”I can't help it, my dear, but I do not see things in the same light as you; still, that does not prevent Mademoiselle--what is her name?”
”Lisette Renaud.”
”Mademoiselle Lisette Renaud from being an exception, and she may be a very charming creature; for my part, I only hope that is so for the sake of M. de Bernes.”
”You don't care much for him, do you?” asked Jeanne.
”What makes you think that?--he is quite indifferent to me, and I always look upon him as being just like everyone else.”
”Oh, no; that is not true--I see him pretty often at Pont-sur-Loire; he is very intelligent, and very nice, and then, too, very good-looking; don't you think so?”
”I a.s.sure you that I have never paid much attention to M. de Bernes and his appearance,” and then Bijou added, laughing: ”The very first time I see him, I will look at him with all my eyes, and I will endeavour to discover his perfections to please M. de Clagny.”
”You like him very much, don't you--M. de Clagny?”
”Oh, yes, indeed I do.”
”I noticed that at once; ever since my arrival you have only talked of him; and yesterday, when he came, you were delighted.”
”Yes, he is so good, and so kind to me.”
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