When the boys came home from school, the count was careful not to keep them in the house.

The boys always breakfasted with their mother and sisters, but after that the count took them off to museums, theatres, restaurants, or, during the summer season, into the country.

Except on the solemn days of some family festival, such as the countess's birthday or New Year's day, or the day of the distribution of prizes, when the boys remained in their father's house and slept there, the sisters saw so little of their brothers that there was absolutely no tie between them.

On those days the countess never left them for an instant alone together.

Calls of "Where is Angelique ?"--"What is Eugenie about ?"--"Where are my daughters ?" resounded all day.