They mingled, too, with their adroit manoeuvres, familiar and delicate attentions, likely to touch an old man.

They sat on his knees like children, played gently with his moustache, and arranged in the latest style the military knot of his cravat.
Madame de la Roche-Jugan never ceased to deplore confidentially to the General the unfortunate education of her nieces; while the Baroness, on her side, lost no opportunity of holding up in bold relief the emptiness, impertinence, and sulkiness of young Count Sigismund.
In the midst of these honorable conflicts one person, who took no part in them, attracted the greatest share of Camors's interest; first for her beauty and afterward for her qualities.

This was an orphan of excellent family, but very poor, of whom Madame de la Roche-Jugan and Madame Tonnelier had taken joint charge.

Mademoiselle Charlotte de Luc d'Estrelles passed six months of each year with the Countess and six with the Baroness.

She was twenty-five years of age, tall and blonde, with deep-set eyes under the shadow of sweeping, black lashes.