Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/255

Rh Piennes with a fixed and almost spiteful look, which caused her to drop her eyes involuntarily. There was a long silence, broken only by the oppressed breathing of the invalid. Madame de Piennes had a confused recollection of an incident in regard to a camellia. One day, when she was dining with Madame Aubrée, Max had said to her that his aunt had been congratulating him upon his birthday, and asked her to give him a bouquet also. She had laughingly taken a camellia from her hair and given it to him. But why had such an insignificant act been so impressed upon her memory? Madame de Piennes was unable to explain it to herself. She was almost alarmed by it. Scarcely had she recovered from her confusion of mind in regard to it when Max entered and she felt herself growing red in the face.

"Thank you for your flowers," said Arsene; "but they sicken me. They will not be lost; I have given them to madam. Do not make me talk, that is forbidden. Will you read me something?"

Max seated himself and began to read. This time nobody listened, I think. Each one, including the reader, followed the thread of his own thoughts.

When Madame de Piennes arose to depart.