Pagina 669 van 3800

When Paris was mentioned, Mademoiselle Bourienne for her part

seized the opportunity of joining in the general current of

recollections.

She took the liberty of inquiring whether it was long since

Anatole had left Paris and how he had liked that city. Anatole

answered the Frenchwoman very readily and, looking at her with a

smile, talked to her about her native land. When he saw the

pretty little Bourienne, Anatole came to the conclusion that he

would not find Bald Hills dull either. "Not at all bad!" he

thought, examining her, "not at all bad, that little companion! I

hope she will bring her along with her when we're married, la

petite est gentille." *

* The little one is charming.