"Here, my dear daughter," said Monsieur Bernard, taking Godefroid by the hand, "is the neighbor of whom I told you."He signed to his grandson to draw up one of two armchairs, similar in style to the sofa, which stood beside the fireplace.
"Monsieur's name is Godefroid, and he is full of friendly kindness for us."Vanda made a motion with her head in answer to Godefroid's low bow; by the very way in which her neck bent and then recovered itself, Godefroid saw that the whole physical life of the invalid was in her head.The thin arms and flaccid hands lay on the fine, white linen of the sheets, like things not connected with the body, which, indeed, seemed to fill no place at all in the bed.The articles necessary for a sick person were on shelves standing behind the bedstead, and were concealed by a drawn curtain.
"You are the first person, monsieur,--except my doctors, who are not men to me,--whom I have seen for six years; therefore you cannot doubt the interest you have excited in my mind, since my father told me this morning that you were to pay me a visit--interest! no, it was an unconquerable curiosity, like that of our mother Eve.My father, who is so good to me, and my son, whom I love so much, do certainly suffice to fill the desert of a soul which is almost without a body;but after all, that soul is still a woman's; I feel it in the childish joy the thought of your visit has brought me.You will do me the pleasure to take a cup of tea with us, I hope?""Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here," said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.