With his heart so engrossed he could not think, indeed, was not tempted to a strong feeling for any other woman. Barbe was pretty and sweet--young men were attracted to her--and he felt quite old compared with her. Then there was so much business to occupy him, and presently Barbe was married without a sigh of regret on his part.
The little jealous feeling Renée displayed rather amused him. He hardly understood the child's passionate fondness, but was not her exclusive love something she inherited from her mother? He liked to think so.
Now she was half woman and still kept the child's eager fondness. She had no real lovers, even if she had been asked in marriage. And he did not want to give her up. When he sat in the fascinating blaze of the log fire and steeped his brain in the haze of his pipe, visions stole softly about him. He saw Renée a happy wife, the mother of sweet, enchanting children who would climb his knees, half strangle him with baby arms and press soft faces against his, prattle of their love in turn. No, she must never go away. And who would he like as well as André!
And she liked him, too, in spite of her wilful manner of flouting him. She was ready enough to put him in the face of any imaginary danger. He was a fine, generous, wholesome young fellow, with a good business. And he, Denys, could wait. He was not in so great a hurry to share Renée, but he felt there was no life, no joy to a woman comparable with wifehood and motherhood. And he wanted his darling to have the best of everything.
She was very quiet the next morning and stole furtive glances at him, too proud to make any inquiry as to whether he had passed a pleasant evening. After breakfast André came with a face of eager light, and yet perplexity.
"Matter enough. I am divided in two. I have just had an offer--command, I might say. And whether I am to take it--" looking up with uncertainty.
"Beating about a bush doesn't always thresh off nuts. There is the right season," and a glint of humor crossed the elder's face. "Is there a pretty girl in it?"
Was the world running after pretty girls? Renée frowned.
"You would not like me to go away, ma'm'selle?"
A sudden hope had rendered him incautious.