You know it's not humbug. I should be delighted
to see them all happy again, the poor things! Besides, it would be a
relief to me for there are days--yes, there are days--when he bores me
to death."
The weariness of the last months escaped her in this heartfelt outburst.
Moreover, the count appeared to be in big money difficulties; he was
anxious and it seemed likely that the bill which Labordette had put his
name to would not be met.
"Dear me, the countess is down yonder," said Georges, letting his gaze
wander over the stands.
"Where, where?" cried Nana. "What eyes that baby's got! Hold my
sunshade, Philippe."
But with a quick forward dart Georges had outstripped his brother.
It enchanted him to be holding the blue silk sunshade with its silver
fringe. Nana was scanning the scene through a huge pair of field
glasses.
"Ah yes! I see her," she said at length. "In the right-hand stand, near
a pillar, eh? She's in mauve, and her daughter in white by her side.
Dear me, there's Daguenet going to bow to them."
Thereupon Philippe talked of Daguenet's approaching marriage with
that lath of an Estelle. It was a settled matter--the banns were being
published. At first the countess had opposed it, but the count, they
said, had insisted.
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