Monsieur de Lucan entered into all these details with the utmost good grace, and declared that he would lend himself heartily, for his own part, to all the arrangements which his daughter-in-law might wish.

That precaution was not destined to be useless.
Early the next morning, Clotilde returned to the convent.

Julia, after listening with slightly ironical nonchalance to the account which her mother gave her of the transports and the joy of her intended, assumed a more serious air.
"And your husband," she said, "what does he think of it ?" "He is delighted, as we all are." "I am going to ask you a single question: does he expect to be present at our wedding ?" "That will be just as you like." "Listen, good little mother, and don't grieve in advance.

I know very well that sooner or later, this marriage must be the means of bringing us all together; but let me have a little time to become accustomed to the idea.
Grant me a few months so that the old Julia may be forgotten, and I may forget her myself--you will; say, won't you ?" "Anything you please," said Clotilde, with a sigh.
"I beg of you.

Tell him that I beg of him, too." "I'll tell him; but do you know that Pierre is here ?" "Ah! _mon Dieu!_ and where did you leave him ?" "I left him in the garden." "In the garden! how imprudent, mother! why, the ladies are going to tear him to pieces--like Orpheus, for you may well believe that he is not in the odor of sanctity here." Monsieur de Moras was sent for at once, and he came up in all haste.