om the dishes what they
required.

But that did not hurt her; what did it matter to her if she were served
first or last, and if the best pieces had already been taken. What
interested her was that she was placed near enough to them to hear their
conversation. She hoped that what she heard might guide her as to how
she should act in the midst of the difficulties which confronted her.

These men knew the habits of M. Vulfran, his nephews, and Talouel, of
whom she stood so much in fear; a word from them would enlighten her and
she might be shown a danger which she did not even suspect, and if she
was aware of it she could avoid it. She would not spy upon them. She
would not listen at doors. When they were speaking they knew that they
were not alone. So she need have no scruples but could profit by their
remarks.

Unfortunately on that particular morning they said nothing that
interested her; their talk was on insignificant matters. As soon as she
had finished her meal she hurried to Rosalie, for she wanted to know how
M. Vulfran had discovered that she had only slept one night at her
grandmother's house.

"It was that Skinny who came here while you were at Picquigny," said
Rosalie, "and he got Aunt Zenobie to talk about you; and you bet it
isn't hard to make Aunt Zenobie talk especially when she gets something
for doing so. She told him that you had spent only one night here and
all sorts of other things besides."

"What other things?"

"I don't know because I was not there, but you can imagine the worst,
but fortunately it has not turned out badly for you."

"No, on the contrary it has turned out very well, because M. Vulfran was
amused and interested when I told him my story."

"I'll tell Aunt Zenobie, that'll make her mad."

"Oh, don't put her against me."

"Put her against you; oh, there's no danger of that now. She knows the
position that M. Vulfran has given you, you won't have a better friend
... seemingly. You'll see tomorrow. Only if you don't want that Skinny
to know your business, don't tell anything to her."

"That I won't."

"Oh, she's sly enough."

"Yes, but now you've warned me...."

At three o'clock as arranged, M. Vulfran rang for Perrine and they drove
off in the phaeton to make the customary round of the factories, for he
did not let a single day pass without visiting the different buildings.

Although he could not see he could at least be seen, and when he gave
his orders it was dif