er grandmother slept most of the
time, and when she did speak, it was with the querulousness of disease,
and not in the tones of affection. This was hardest of all to bear; but
Adrienne did bear up under all, flattering herself that when she could
remove Mad. de la Rocheaimard into the country, her grandmother would
revive and become as fond of her as ever. She toiled on, therefore,
though she could not altogether suppress her tears. Under her painful
and pressing circumstances, the poor girl felt her deepest affliction
to be that she had not time to pray. Her work, now that she had nothing
to expect from the milliner, could not be laid aside for a moment,
though her soul did pour out its longings as she sat plying her needle.

Fortunately, Madame de la Rocheaimard was easy and tranquil the whole
of the last morning. Although nearly exhausted by her toil and the want
of food, for Adrienne had eaten her last morsel, half a roll, at
breakfast, she continued to toil; but the work was nearly done, and the
dear girl's needle fairly flew. Of a sudden she dropped me in her lap
and burst into a flood of tears. Her sobs were hysterical, and I felt
afraid she would faint. A glass of water, however, restored her, and
then this outpouring of an exhausted nature was suppressed. I was
completed! At that instant, if not the richest, I was probably the
neatest and most tasteful handkerchief in Paris. At this critical
moment, Desiree, the commissionaire, entered the room.

From the moment that Adrienne had purchased me, this artful woman had
never lost sight of the intended victim. By means of an occasional
bribe to little Nathalie, she ascertained the precise progress of the
work, and learning that I should probably be ready for sale that very
morning, under the pretence of hiring the apartment, she was shown into
my important presence. A brief apology explained all, and Adrienne
civilly showed her little rooms.

"When does your lease end, mademoiselle?" demanded Desiree, carelessly.

"Next week, madame. I intend to remove to the country with my
grandmother the beginning of the week."

"You will do very right; no one that has the means should stay in Paris
after June. Dieu! What a beautiful handkerchief! Surely--surely--this
is not your work, mademoiselle?"

Adrienne simply answered in the affirmative, and then the
commissionaire's admiration was redoubled. Glancing her eye round the
room, as if to ascertain the probabilities, th