Roland eagerly took the hand she offered him, and kissed it respectfully.

Josephine had known Roland's mother in Martinique; and she never failed, whenever she saw Roland, to speak to him of his maternal grandfather, M.de la Clemenciere, in whose magnificent garden as a child she was wont to gather those wonderful fruits which are unknown in our colder climates.
A subject of conversation was therefore ready at hand.

She inquired tenderly after Madame de Montrevel's health, and that of her daughter and little Edouard.

Then, the information given, she said: "My dear Roland, I must now pay attention to my other guests; but try to remain after the other guests, or else let me see you alone to-morrow.

I want to talk to you about _him_" (she glanced at Bonaparte) "and have a thousand things to tell you." Then, pressing the young man's hand with a sigh, she added, "No matter what happens, you will never leave him, will you ?" "What do you mean ?" asked Roland, amazed.
"I know what I mean," said Josephine, "and when you have talked ten minutes with Bonaparte you will, I am sure, understand me.