ay see it from my point of view, sir, allow me to remind you
of a few facts. That sewing-girl was generously devoted to me; she had
given me unquestionable proofs of her attachment. Her mind was equal
to her noble heart; but she had an invincible dislike to you. All on a
sudden she disappears mysteriously from my house, and you do your
best to cast upon her odious suspicions. M. de Montbron has a paternal
affection for me; but, as I must confess, little sympathy for you; and
you have always tried to produce a coldness between us. Finally, Prince
Djalma has a deep affection for me, and you employ the most perfidious
treachery to kill that sentiment within him. For what end do you act
thus? I do not know; but certainly with some hostile design."

"It appears to me, madame," said Rodin, severely, "that you have
forgotten services performed."

"I do not deny, sir, that you took me from the house of Dr. Baleinier;
but, a few days sooner or later, I must infallibly have been released by
M. de Montbron."

"You are right, my dear child," said the count; "it may be that your
enemies wished to claim the merit of what must necessarily have happened
through the exertions of your friends."

"You are drowning, and I save you--it is all a mistake to feel
grateful," said Rodin, bitterly; "some one else would no doubt have
saved you a little later."

"The comparison is wanting in exactness," said Adrienne, with a smile;
"a lunatic asylum is not a river, and though, from what I see, I think
you quite capable of diving, you have had no occasion to swim on this
occasion. You merely opened a door for me, which would have opened of
itself a little later."

"Very good, my dear child!" said the count, laughing heartily at
Adrienne's reply.

"I know, sir, that your care did not extend to me only. The daughters
of Marshal Simon were brought back by you; but we may imagine that the
claim of the Duke de Ligny to the possession of his daughters would not
have been in vain. You returned to an old soldier his imperial cross,
which he held to be a sacred relic; it is a very touching incident.
Finally, you unmasked the Abbe d'Aigrigny and Dr. Baleinier: but I had
already made up my mind to unmask then. However, all this proves that
you are a very clever man--"

"Oh, madame!" said Rodin, humbly.

"Full of resources and invention--"

"Oh, madame!"

"It is not my fault if, in our long interview at Dr. Baleinier's, you
betrayed that superior