She was one of those mothers who rule their
daughters by springing surprises upon them in a carefully selected
company where the daughter is not free to reply.
De Chauxville bowed with outspread hands.
"If it will not bore mademoiselle," he replied.
The countess looked at her daughter with an unctuous smile, as if to
urge her on to make the most of this opportunity. It was one of the
countess's chief troubles that she could not by hook or crook involve
Catrina in any sort of a love intrigue. She was the sort of mother who
would have preferred to hear scandal about her daughter to hearing
nothing.
"If it will not freeze monsieur," replied Catrina, with uncompromising
honesty.
De Chauxville laughed in his frank way.
"I am not afraid of coldness--of the atmosphere, mademoiselle," he
replied. "I am most anxious to see your beautiful country. It was quite
dark during the last hour of my journey last night, and I had
snow-sleepiness. I saw nothing."
"You will see nothing but snow," said Catrina.
"Which is like the reserve of a young girl," added the Frenchman. "It
keeps warm that which is beneath it."
"You need not be afraid with Catrina," chimed in the countess, nodding
and becking in a manner that clearly showed her assumption to herself of
some vague compliment. "She drives beautifully.
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