"Come in," said Pierre, and Captain Beausire appeared.
"I am late," he said as he shook hands, "I did not want to be in the way." He, too, sat down on the bed and silence fell once more.
Suddenly the Captain pricked his ears. He could hear the orders being given, and he said:
"It is time for us to be off if we mean to get on board the Pearl to see you once more outside, and bid you good-bye out on the open sea."
Old Roland was very eager about this, to impress the voyagers on board the Lorraine, no doubt, and he rose in haste.
"Good-bye, my boy." He kissed Pierre on the whiskers and then opened the door.
Mme. Roland had not stirred, but sat with downcast eyes, very pale. Her husband touched her arm.
"Come," he said, "we must make haste, we have not a minute to spare."
She pulled herself up, went to her son and offered him first one and then another cheek of white wax which he kissed without saying a word. Then he shook hands with Mme. Rosémilly and his brother, asking:
"And when is the wedding to be?"
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