La Couteau doubtless interpreted this as an attack upon herself.  Assuming the kindly demeanor of one who dotes on children, the air which she always put on to prevail over hesitating mothers, she replied:  “Oh, Rougemont is such a very pretty place.  And then it’s not far from Bayeux, so that folks are by no means savages there.  The air is so pure, too, that people come there to recruit their health.  And, besides, the little ones who are confided to us are well cared for, I assure you.  One would have to be heartless to do otherwise than love such little angels.”

However, like Celeste, she relapsed into silence on seeing how significantly Mathieu was looking at her.  Perhaps, in spite of her rustic ways, she understood that there was a false ring in her voice.  Besides, of what use was her usual patter about the salubrity of the region, since that lady, Madame Seguin, wished to have a nurse at her house?  So she resumed:  “Then it’s understood, madame, I will bring you the best we have, a real treasure.”

Valentine, now a little tranquillized as to her fears for herself, found strength to speak out.  “No, no, I won’t pledge myself in advance.  I will send to see the nurses you bring to the office, and we shall see if there is one to suit me.”

Then, without occupying herself further about the woman, she turned to Marianne, and asked:  “Shall you nurse your baby yourself?”

“Certainly, as I did with the others.  We have very decided opinions on that point, my husband and I.”

“No doubt.  I understand you:  I should much like to do the same myself; but it is impossible.”

La Couteau had remained there motionless, vexed at having come on a fruitless errand, and regretting the loss of the present which she would have earned by her obligingness in providing a nurse.  She put all her spite into a glance which she shot at Marianne, who, thought she, was evidently some poor creature unable even to afford a nurse.  However, at a sign which Celeste made her, she courtesied humbly and withdrew in the company of the maid.

A few minutes afterwards, Seguin arrived, and, repairing to the dining-room, they all sat down to lunch there.  It was a very luxurious meal, comprising eggs, red mullet, game, and crawfish, with red and white Bordeaux wines and iced champagne.  Such diet for Valentine and Marianne would never have met with Dr. Boutan’s approval; but Seguin declared the doctor to be an unbearable individual whom nobody could ever please.

He, Seguin, while showing all politeness to his guests, seemed that day to be in an execrable temper.  Again and again he levelled annoying and even galling remarks at his wife, carrying things to such a point at times that tears came to the unfortunate woman’s eyes.  Now that he scarcely set foot in the house he complained that everything was going wrong there.  If he spent his time elsewhere it was, according to him, entirely his wife’s fault.  The place