'But someone,' she muttered, her eyes on the strangers, 'said it, Gaston?
I heard it.

What did it mean ?' 'What you heard, madame,' I answered, with an attempt at gaiety, though the tears stood in my eyes, 'was, doubtless, mademoiselle here scolding our guide from Tours, who demanded three times the proper POURBOIRE.

The impudent rascal deserved all that was said to him, I assure you.' 'Was that it ?' she murmured doubtfully.
'That must have been what you heard, madame,' I answered, as if I felt no doubt.
She fell back with a sigh of relief, and a little colour came into her wan face.

But her eyes still dwelt curiously, and with apprehension, on mademoiselle, who stood looking sullenly into the fire; and seeing this my heart misgave me sorely that I had done a foolish thing in bringing the girl there.

I foresaw a hundred questions which would be asked, and a hundred complications which must ensue, and felt already the blush of shame mounting to my cheek.
'Who is that ?' my mother asked softly.