But when he had left her, who could say that she would not wish him back?
In that little brain, turned by ambition, the strangest ideas chased one another.

Sometimes, while Grandfather Gardinois, who had laid aside in her honor his old-fashioned hunting-jackets and swanskin waistcoats, was jesting with her, amusing himself by contradicting her in order to draw out a sharp reply, she would gaze steadily, coldly into his eyes, without replying.

Ah! if only he were ten years younger! But the thought of becoming Madame Gardinois did not long occupy her.

A new personage, a new hope came into her life.
After Sidonie's arrival, Georges Fromont, who was seldom seen at Savigny except on Sundays, adopted the habit of coming to dinner almost every day.
He was a tall, slender, pale youth, of refined appearance.

Having no father or mother, he had been brought up by his uncle, M.Fromont, and was looked upon by him to succeed him in business, and probably to become Claire's husband.