and fans which the young ladies, your nieces, thought very pretty. How good looking they grow, the young ladies!"
Then she looked at the disappearing form of Madame Cère and shook her head as if to say:
"Isn't it unfortunate? Eh?"
I had to buy some paste buckles for my nieces. While my purchase was being wrapped up, through the shop window I saw Du Fau going down to the beach. He was walking very quickly with an anxious air. In the manner of agitated persons, he was biting his nails, which enabled me to observe that he wore the amethyst on his finger.
I was surprised to see him, especially as he said he was going to Dinard. He has a chalet there and harriers. When I fetched my cousin from church, I asked her whether she knew that Du Fau was at Trouville. She nodded. Then, slightly embarrassed:
"Our poor friend is quite absurd. He is tied to that woman. And really. . . ."
She paused and then resumed:
"It is he who pursues her. I can't understand it."
Du Fau was indeed pursuing her. In a few days
