When he was gone, Nanette approached Bathilde, who was sitting in her chair with her head leaning on her hand, and stood an instant before her, contemplating her with an almost maternal love; then, finding that Bathilde did not speak, she herself broke silence.
"Are you suffering still, mademoiselle?" said she.
"If you would open the window, I think it would do you good."
"Oh! no, Nanette, thank you, the window must remain closed."
"That the young man opposite returned this morning--"
"Well, Nanette?" said Bathilde, raising her head and looking at her with severity, "what is that to me?"
"Pardon, mademoiselle," said Nanette, "but I thought--"
"That you regretted his absence, and would be glad of his return."
"Pardon, mademoiselle, but he appears so distinguished."
"Too much so, Nanette; a great deal too much so for poor Bathilde."
"Too distinguished for you, Mademoiselle!" cried Nanette, "as if you were not worth all the noblemen in the world! besides, you are noble!"
"I know what I appear to be, Nanette--that is to say, a poor girl, with whose peace, honor, and love, every nobleman thinks he may play with impunity. You see, Nanette, that this window must be closed. I must not see this young man again."
"Mon Dieu! Mademoiselle Bathilde, you wish then to kill this poor young man with grief? This whole morning he has not moved from his window, and looks so sad that it is enough to break one's heart."
"What does his looking sad matter to me? What has he to do with me? I do not know him. I do not even know his name. He is a stranger, who has come here to stay for a few days, and who to-morrow may go away again. If I had thought anything of him I should have been wrong, Nanette; and, instead of encouraging me in a love which would be folly, you ought, on the contrary--supposing that it existed--to show me the absurdity and the danger of it."
"Mon Dieu! mademoiselle, why so? you must love some day, and you may as well love a handsome young man who looks like a king, and who must be rich, since he does not do anything."
"Well, Nanette, what would you say if this young man who appears to you so simple, so loyal, and so good, were nothing but a wicked traitor, a liar!"
"Ah, mon Dieu! mademoiselle, I should say it was impossible."