He withheld his answer, for he knew that his voice would seem quite changed. He murmured, "Hum," or something of the sort, something that simply meant that he had heard the question.
But bit by bit he recovered. The happy idea came to him that Mme Des Boys was a nullity in the family and had little influence over her daughter.
"Nothing that she says has any importance. I'll agree with her."
"I entirely agree with you," he pronounced.
"My daughter's a curious creature," went on Mme Des Boys, "but your approbation will perhaps be enough to convince her. You have a great deal of influence over her."
"I?"
"She's very fond of you. It's obvious."
"I'm such an old friend," said M. Hervart courageously.
His cowardice made him blush.
"Why shouldn't I confess? Why not say, 'Yes, she does like me, and I like her, why not?' Isn't my desire evident? Can I go away, leave her, do without her?..." But to all these
