familiar of their frauds being to
conceal from the skillful their own success, lest it should command a
price in proportion to its claims. The milliner heard Adrienne's
lady-like and gentle remonstrance with alarm, and she felt that she was
in danger of losing a prize. But two expedients suggested themselves;
to offer a higher price, or to undervalue the services she was so
fearful of losing. Her practiced policy, as well as her selfishness,
counseled her to try the latter expedient first.

"You amaze me, mademoiselle," she answered, when Adrienne, trembling at
her own resolution, ceased speaking. "I was thinking myself whether I
could afford to pay you fifteen sous, when so many young women who have
been regularly brought up to the business are willing to work for less.
I am afraid we must part, unless you can consent to receive twelve sous
in future."

Adrienne stood aghast. The very mirror of truth herself, she could not
imagine that any one--least of all any woman--could be so false and
cruel as to practice the artifice to which the milliner had resorted;
and, here, just as she saw a way opened by which she might support both
her grandmother and herself until the handkerchief was completed, a
change threatened her, by which she was to be left altogether without
food. Still her conscience was so tender that she even doubted the
propriety of accepting her old wages were she really incompetent to
earn them.

"I had hoped, madame," she said, the color coming and going on cheeks
that were now usually pale--"I had hoped, madame, that you found my
work profitable. Surely, surely I bring home as much at night as any
other demoiselle you employ."

"In that there is not much difference, I allow, mademoiselle; but you
can imagine that work done by one accustomed to the art is more likely
to please customers than work done by one who has been educated as a
lady. Cependant, I will not throw you off, as I know that your poor
dear grandmother--"

"Si--si," eagerly interrupted Adrienne, trembling from head to foot
with apprehension.

"I know it all, mademoiselle, and the dear old lady shall not suffer;
you shall both be made happy again on fifteen. To ease your mind,
mademoiselle, I am willing to make a written contract for a year; at
that rate, too, to put your heart at ease."

"Non--non--non," murmured Adrienne, happy and grateful for the moment,
but unwilling to defeat her own plans for the future. "Thank you, thank
y