If we meet this said lady on the road we shall not bow to her--that's all!" And as they got up from table she once more gently upbraided the Countess Sabine for having been so long in coming to her that year.

But the countess defended herself and threw the blame of the delays upon her husband's shoulders.

Twice on the eve of departure, when all the trunks were locked, he counterordered their journey on the plea of urgent business.

Then he had suddenly decided to start just when the trip seemed shelved.

Thereupon the old lady told them how Georges in the same way had twice announced his arrival without arriving and had finally cropped up at Les Fondettes the day before yesterday, when she was no longer expecting him.