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Updated: June 1, 2025
The vicomte raised his head, and said in an indifferent tone without thinking: "Yes, Aunt Lison is looking at us." And they continued to dream, to walk slowly, and to love each other. But the dew was falling fast, and the dampness made them shiver a little. "Let us go in now," said Jeanne. And they went into the house. When they entered the drawing-room, Aunt Lison had gone back to her work.
Julien came in, dressed all in black, elegant, very important, pleased at seeing so many people. He asked his wife some question in a low tone and added confidentially: "All the nobility are here; it will be a fine affair." And he walked away, gravely bowing to the ladies. Aunt Lison and Comtesse Gilberte alone remained with Jeanne during the service for the dead.
They would have gone to Paris, but they knew that would be no good. "We must let his passion wear itself out," said the baron; "sooner or later he will return to us of his own accord." And the mournful days dragged on. Jeanne and Lison got into the habit of going to church together without letting the baron know; and a long time passed without any news from Paul.
Jeanne saw the old maid's profile in the window, with the lighted lamp behind. "Look," she said, "Aunt Lison is watching us." "Yes, so she is," answered the vicomte in the tone of one who speaks without thinking of what he is saying; and they continued their slow walk and their dreams of love. But the dew was falling, and they began to feel chilled. "We had better go in now," said Jeanne.
She seemed ashamed of her name, Lise, because it was so girlish and pretty, and when there seemed no likelihood of her marrying, "Lise" had gradually changed to "Lison." Since the birth of Jeanne she had become "Aunt Lison," a sort of poor relation whom everyone treated with a careless familiarity which hid a good-natured contempt.
One October morning, after a sleepless night, the two women and the baron got into the carriage with him and set out on their journey. They had previously selected his place in the dormitory and his desk in the school room. Jeanne, aided by Aunt Lison, spent the whole day in arranging his clothes in his little wardrobe.
Lison came to Jeanne one morning and told her that the little fellow should no longer be kept without religious instruction and from his religious duties. His mother, troubled and undecided, hesitated, saying that there was time enough. But a month later, as she was returning a call at the Brisevilles', the comtesse asked her casually if Paul was going to make his first communion that year.
She thought she was there with her father and mother and Aunt Lison as in the old times. Again she accomplished the old, forgotten duties and supported Madame Adélaïde as she walked in her avenue; and each time she awoke she burst into tears. Paul was continually in her thoughts and she wondered what he was doing, if he were well and if he ever thought of her.
He felt a wild desire to open his arms, to clasp her to his heart again, murmuring in her ear: "Good-morning, Lison!" A man-servant announced: "Dinner is ready, madame." And they proceeded toward the dining-room. What passed at this dinner? What did they say to him, and what could he say in reply? He found himself plunged in one of those strange dreams which border on insanity.
Julien sprang toward her, and she began to scream for him not to touch her. She writhed and rolled on the floor. The door opened. Aunt Lison came running in with Widow Dentu, then the baron, and finally little mother, puffing and distracted. They put her back into bed, and she immediately closed her eyes, so as to escape talking and be able to think quietly.
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