Let us come--even a little part of the way.' And so I yielded, though still reluctant.
There was a grass-grown road, which we easily reached, leading to the sombre building, and we soon arrived before it.
Madame de la Rougierre seemed rather curious.

She sat down on the little bank opposite, in her most languid pose--her head leaned upon the tips of her fingers.
'How very sad--how solemn!' murmured Madame.

'What noble tomb! How triste, my dear cheaile, your visit 'ere must it be, remembering a so sweet maman.
There is new inscription--is it not new ?' And so, indeed, it seemed.
'I am fatigue--maybe you will read it aloud to me slowly and solemnly, my dearest Maud ?' As I approached, I happened to look, I can't tell why, suddenly, over my shoulder; I was startled, for Madame was grimacing after me with a vile derisive distortion.

She pretended to be seized with a fit of coughing.

But it would not do: she saw that I had detected her, and she laughed aloud.
'Come here, dear cheaile.