When he met his mother's eyes again they seemed to him altered, dim, and haggard.
"Good evening," said Mme. Rosémilly. "I have come to ask you for a cup of tea."
But while they were bustling about her and asking after her health, Pierre made off, the door having been left open.
When his absence was perceived they were all surprised. Jean, annoyed for the young widow, who, he thought, would be hurt, muttered: "What a bear!"
Mme. Roland replied: "You must not be vexed with him; he is not very well to-day and tired with his excursion to Trouville."
"Never mind," said Roland, "that is no reason for taking himself off like a savage."
Mme. Rosémilly tried to smooth matters by saying: "Not at all, not at all. He has gone away in the English fashion; people always disappear in that way in fashionable circles if they want to leave early."
"Oh, in fashionable circles, I dare say," replied Jean. "But a man does not treat his family à l'Anglaise, and my brother has done nothing else for some time past."
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