These two speeches were made in a particular tone of voice—a tone half-lowered and carefully quiet,but as from habit rather than from any de昀nite need.Madame Merle looked about her, choosing her seat."You＇re going to the door with these women? Let me of course not interrupt the ceremony. Je vous salue,mesdames," she added, in French, to the nuns, as if to dismiss them.
"This lady＇s a great friend of ours; you will have seen her at the convent," said their entertainer. "We＇ve much faith in her judgement, and she＇ll help me to decide whether my daughter shall return to you at the end of the holidays."