He acted thus to avoid disturbing the repose of both mother and daughter.  Perhaps also the large fortune which seemed destined for Mademoiselle de Tecle might add to his scruples by rousing his pride.

His not marrying was in itself a good augury, and his little fiancee was reaching a marriageable age.  She therefore did not despair that some day M. de Camors would throw himself at her feet, and say, “Give her to met!”

If God did not intend that this delicious page should ever be written in the book of her destiny, and she was forced to marry her daughter to another, the poor woman consoled herself with the thought that all the cares she lavished upon her would not be lost, and that her dear child would thus be rendered better and happier.

The long months which intervened between the annual apparition of Camors at Reuilly, filled up by Madame de Tecle with a single idea and by the sweet monotony of a regular life, passed more rapidly than the Count could have imagined.  His own life, so active and so occupied, placed ages and abysses between each of his periodical voyages.  But Madame de Tecle, after five years, was always only a day removed from the cherished and fatal night on which her dream had begun.  Since that period there had been no break in her thoughts, no void in her heart, no wrinkle on her forehead.  Her dream continued young, like herself.  But in spite of the peaceful and rapid succession of her days, it was not without anxiety that she saw the approach of the season which always heralded the return of Camors.

As her daughter matured, she preoccupied herself with the impression she would make on the mind of the Count, and felt more sensibly the solemnity of the matter.

Mademoiselle Marie, as we have already stated, was a cunning little puss, and had not failed to perceive that her tender mother chose habitually the season of the convocation of the Councils-General to try a new style of hair-dressing for her.  The same year on which we have resumed our recital there passed, on one occasion, a little scene which rather annoyed Madame de Tecle.  She was trying a new coiffure on Mademoiselle Marie, whose hair was very pretty and very black; some stray and rebellious portions had frustrated her mother’s efforts.

There was one lock in particular, which in spite of all combing and brushing would break away from the rest, and fall in careless curls.  Madame de Tecle finally, by the aid of some ribbons, fastened down the rebellious curl: 

“Now I think it will do,” she said sighing, and stepping back to admire the effect of her work.

“Don’t believe it,” said Marie, who was laughing and mocking.  “I do not think so.  I see exactly what will happen:  the bell rings—­I run out—­my net gives way—­Monsieur de Camors walks in—­my mother is annoyed—­tableau!”

“I should like to know what Monsieur de Camors has to do with it?” said Madame de Tecle.