She ran to me, holding out both hands and crying: "Ah, my dear, dear Mr.Aycon, you are the most delightful man alive! You come at the very moment I want you." "Be sober, my child, be sober!" murmured the old lady.
"But I want to hear," expostulated the duchess.

"Do you know anything, Mr.
Aycon?
What has been happening up at the house?
What has the duke done ?" As the duchess poured out her questions, we passed through the gate; the ladies sat down on a stone bench just inside, and I, standing, told my story.

The duchess was amused to hear of old Jean's chase of her; but she showed no astonishment till I told her that Marie Delhasse was at the hotel in Avranches, and had declined to go further on her journey to-day.
"At the hotel?
Then you've seen her ?" she burst out.

"What is she like ?" "She is most extremely handsome," said I."Moreover, I am inclined to like her." The Mother Superior opened her lips--to reprove me, no doubt; but the duchess was too quick.
"Oh, you like her?
Perhaps you're going to desert me and go over to her ?" she cried in indignation, that was, I think, for the most part feigned.
Certainly the duchess did not look very alarmed.

But in regard to what she said, the old lady was bound to have a word.
"What is Mr.Aycon to you, my child ?" said she solemnly.