Roland, kissed her a long time as a child of her own might have done; and under this new embrace the poor woman's sick heart swelled with deep emotion.

She could not have expressed the feeling; it was at once sad and sweet.

She had lost her son, her big boy, but in return she had found a daughter, a grown-up daughter.
When they faced each other again, and were seated, they took hands and remained so, looking at each and smiling, while they seemed to have forgotten Jean.
Then they discussed a number of things which had to be thought of in view of an early marriage, and when everything was settled and decided Mme.

Rosemilly seemed suddenly to remember a further detail and asked: "You have consulted M.Roland, I suppose ?" A flush of colour mounted at the same instant on the face of both mother and son.

It was the mother who replied: "Oh, no, it is quite unnecessary!" Then she hesitated, feeling that some explanation was needed, and added: "We do everything without saying anything to him.