He would come back within a few months, with considerable credit and the certainty of promotion; it was a hundred to one that he would, so that this was merely a common parting, to be borne without complaint.

He thought so himself, and they consoled each other by making plans for their married life, which would be so much nearer when he came home.
Madame Bernard left them alone for an hour in the sitting-room and then came in to say good-bye to Giovanni herself, bringing Coco perched upon her wrist, but silent and well-behaved.

Angela was pale, and perhaps her deep mourning made her look paler than she was, but her face was as quiet and collected as Giovanni's.

He took leave of the governess almost affectionately.
'Take care of her, Madame,' he said, 'and write me some news of her now and then through the War Office.

It may reach me, or it may not!' He kissed Angela's hand, looked into her eyes silently for a moment, and went out.
'Marche! 'cre nom d'un nom!' screamed the parrot after him, as if he were going too slowly.
But this time Angela could not speak of him with her friend just after he was gone, and when Madame Bernard tried to talk of other things with the idea of diverting her attention, she went and shut herself up in her own room.