y driving old Coco
at a straight trot instead of the zigzag course that William forced the
old animal to take in spite of herself. What was happening? Where was
this little girl going? They questioned one another as they stood at the
doors, for few people in the village knew of her and of the position
that M. Vulfran had given her.

When they arrived at Mother Francoise's house, Aunt Zenobie was leaning
over the gate talking to two women. When she caught sight of Perrine she
stared in amazement, but her look of astonishment was quickly followed
by her best smile, the smile of a real friend.

"Good day, Monsieur Vulfran! Good day, Mademoiselle Aurelie!" she called
out.

As soon as the carriage had passed she told her neighbors how she had
procured the fine position for the young girl who had been their boarder.
She had recommended her so highly to Skinny.

"She's a nice girl, though," she added, "and she'll not forget what she
owes us. She owes it all to us."

If the villagers had been surprised to see Perrine driving M. Vulfran,
Talouel was absolutely stunned.

"Where is William?" he cried, hurrying down the steps of the veranda to
meet his employer.

"Sent off for continual drunkenness," said M. Vulfran, smiling.

"I had supposed that you would take this step eventually," said Talouel.

"Exactly," replied his employer briefly.

Talouel had established his power in the house by these two words, "I
suppose." His aim was to persuade his chief that he was so devoted to
his interests that he was able to foresee every wish that he might have.
So he usually began with these words, "I suppose that you want...."

He had the subtlety of the peasant, always on the alert, and his quality
for spying made him stop at nothing to get the information he desired.
M. Vulfran usually made the same reply when Talouel had "supposed"
something.

"Exactly," the blind man would say.

"And I suppose you find," continued Talouel, as he helped his employer
to get down, "that the one who has replaced him deserves your trust?"

"Exactly," said the blind man again.

"I'm not astonished," added the crafty Talouel. "The day when Rosalie
brought her here I thought there was something in her, and I was sure
you would soon find that out."

As he spoke he looked at Perrine, and his look plainly said: "You
see what I've done for you. Don't forget it, and be ready to do me
a service."

A demand of payment on this order was not long in