en for eight days."

"The first eight days don't count."

"I will continue, rest assured. I love you, besides. I love you, and do
you know why? It is because you are not a man of the past; you are
distinctly modern, very modern. Look at him, Aunt Louise. Isn't he very
nice, very well turned out, very modern, in fact--I repeat it--in his
little pearl-gray suit. He is devoted to his clothes. He consults for
hours and hours with his tailor, which delights me, for I intend to
consult for hours and hours with my dress-maker. And he will pay the
bills without a tremor, for he will be charmed to see me very stylish
and very much admired. Ah, we shall make the most brilliant and most
giddy little couple! He is modern, I shall be modern, we shall be
modern! After three, four, or five weeks (we do not know exactly)
dedicated to pure love, we shall take flight towards the country, where
one has a good time; and then we shall be talked about, Aunt Louise, we
shall be talked about. And now, where was I in my story? I am sure I do
not know at all."

"Nor I."

"Nor I."

"Ah, I know. Mme. de Courtalin had come to ask my hand for her honorable
son, and when mamma had spoken to me of that I had exclaimed, 'Sooner
the convent!' I do not know exactly what mamma said to Mme. de
Courtalin--at any rate, I was left alone for the time being. There was a
rush to the Grand Prix, and then a general breaking-up. We went to spend
a month at Aix-les-Bains for papa's complaint, and then a fortnight
here, Aunt Louise; and then, do you remember, you received the
confessions of my poor torn heart. Ah! I must say you are the only young
member of the family--you were the only one who did not make a long face
when I spoke of my love for that rogue. Mamma, however, had preached to
you, and you vaunted the advantages of an alliance with Courtalin, but
without conviction. I felt that you were at bottom on my side against
mamma, and it was so easily explained--mamma could not understand me,
whereas you! They think we little girls know nothing, and we know
everything. I knew that mamma had made a worldly marriage, which had,
however, turned out very well; and you, Aunt Louise, had married for
love. You must have battled to get the husband you wished, and you had
him, and you resolutely conquered your happiness. Yes, I knew all that;
I dared even to allude to those things of the past, and those memories
brought a smile to your lips and tears to your eyes. A