Fauchery also stayed with the Muffat ladies.

On one occasion only he had met Mignon with an armful of flowers, putting his sons through a course of botanical instruction in a by-path.

The two men had shaken hands and given each other the news about Rose.

She was perfectly well and happy; they had both received a letter from her that morning in which she besought them to profit by the fresh country air for some days longer.

Among all her guests the old lady spared only Count Muffat and Georges.