For the time being, he contented himself
with strongly approving his young friend.
"Bravo! my boy," said he; "you have a noble heart. I feared to see you
spoiled by wealth and rank; pardon me. You will remain, I see, what you
have always been in your more humble position. But, tell me, you have,
then, seen your father, the count?"
Now, for the first time, Noel seemed to notice the nun's eyes, which,
lighted by eager curiosity, glittered in the shadow like carbuncles.
With a look, he drew the old man's attention to her, and said: "I have
seen him; and everything is arranged to my satisfaction. I will tell you
all, in detail, by-and-by, when we are more at ease. By this bedside, I
am almost ashamed of my happiness."
M. Tabaret was obliged to content himself with this reply and this
promise. Seeing that he would learn nothing that evening, he spoke
of going to bed, declaring himself tired out by what he had had to do
during the day. Noel did not ask him to stop. He was expecting, he said,
Madame Gerdy's brother, who had been sent for several times, but who
was not at home. He hardly knew how he could again meet this brother,
he added: he did not yet know what conduct he ought to pursue.
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