Page:The Eyes of Innocence.djvu/17

Rh "Oh, mummy, you're always saying that! But are you sure that it's not you who are a little—what shall I say—mysterious? You never answer even my simplest questions."

"I shall answer them one day, child, but not before I have to ... not before I have to."

Gilberte saw her mother's face wrung with such anguish that she was silent and fondly kissed her hand. Mme. Armand went on:

"Yes, you are right. I am a little mysterious, very mysterious even; but if you only know how it hurts me to be so! Still, I will answer you this time, dear: the letter I am expecting is from your nurse."

"From my nurse? Then I was brought up in France? But where?"

Mme. Armand was silent. Gilberte waited a few moments, then put on her hat and cloak and said:

"Go and lie down, mother. You poor dear, you look as you do on your bad