Just fancy, I have never loved before; my heart is whole, and I love to distraction!" Serge instinctively glanced at Jeanne.

She was seated, looking sad and tired.
Madame Desvarennes, between Jeanne and Micheline, had her arms twined round the two young girls.

Regret filled her eyes.

The mother felt that the last moments of her absolute reign were near, and she was contemplating with supreme adoration these two children who had grown up around her like two fragile and precious flowers.

She was saying to them, "Well, the great day is over.