The old lady had simpered and smiled and made a little speech to M.Urmand, which everybody had heard.

Marie, too, had heard it all.

But the thing had to be done, and she plucked up her courage and did it.

She placed herself next to her lover, and as she did so, felt that it was necessary that she should say something at the moment: 'Here I am, Uncle Michel; but you'll find you'll miss me, before supper is over.' 'There is somebody would much rather have you than his supper,' said the horrid old lady opposite.
Then there was a pause, a terrible pause.
'Perhaps it used to be so when young men came to sup with you, years ago; but nowadays men like their supper,' said Marie, who was driven on by her anger to a ferocity which she could not restrain.
'I did not mean to give offence,' said the poor old lady meekly.
Marie, as she thought of what she had said, repented so bitterly that she could hardly refrain from tears.
'There is no offence at all,' said Michel angrily.
'Will you allow me to give you a little wine ?' said Adrian, turning to his neighbour.
Marie bowed her head, and held her glass, but the wine remained in it to the end of the supper, and there it was left.
When it was all over, Michel felt that it had not been a success.
With the exception of her savage speech to the disagreeable old lady, Marie had behaved well.

She was on her mettle, and very anxious to show that she could sit at table with Adrian Urmand, and be at her ease.