"I must have a breathing space. I come back, I have arrears of work and friends to see. Everything must be done properly. For the little dryad of the Robinvast wood, there is only one thing in the world and that is I. For me there are a dozen things, a thousand..."
He rang the bell, gave unnecessary orders, asked futile questions. It was only at about three o'clock that he opened the door to an image which had been prowling round his head since the morning: Gratienne was coming to pick him up at four and they were to go to St. Cloud. That was one of his great pleasures.
"Will Rose be able to understand these profoundly civilized landscapes, this well tamed nature, these hills with their harmonious lines like the body of a lovely sleeping woman?"
M. Hervart felt in very good form. The uncomfortable symptoms which had disquited him in the country had disappeared since his return.... He found in Gratienne a favourable reception and to the realization of his desires. She knew his tastes and she shared them. In short, he promised himself several delightful hours after this familiar outing. However a very disagreeable surprise was in
