e it, but I will
not. No, I will not! It can't be! Oh, what should I do if my boy was
dead!"

Perrine's eyes were no longer fixed on the blind man's face; she had
turned her face from him as though he could see her own.

"I talk to you frankly, little girl," continued the old man, "because I
need your help. They are going to try and tempt you again to spy for
them. I have warned you; that is all that I can do."

They could now see the factory chimneys of Fercheux. Still a few more
rods and they came to the village. Perrine, who was trembling, could
only find words to say in a broken voice: "Monsieur Vulfran, you may
trust me. I will serve you faithfully with all my heart."

CHAPTER XXIII

GRANDFATHER'S COMPANION

That evening, when the tour of the factories was over, instead of
returning to his office as was his custom, M. Vulfran told Perrine to
drive straight to the chateau.

For the first time she passed through the magnificent iron gates, a
masterpiece of skill that a king had coveted, so it was said, these
wonderful iron gates which one of France's richest merchants had bought
for his chateau.

"Follow the main driveway," said M. Vulfran.

For the first time also she saw close to the beautiful flowers and the
velvety lawns which until then she had only seen from a distance. The
beautiful blossoms, red and pink masses, seemed like great splashes on
the verdure. Accustomed to take this road, old Coco trotted along
calmly, and as there was no occasion to guide her, Perrine was able to
gaze right and left of her and admire the flowers, plants and shrubs in
all their beauty. Although their master could not see them as formerly,
the same attention and skill was showered upon them.

Of her own accord, Coco stopped before the wide steps where an old
servant, warned by the lodge-keeper's bell, stood waiting.

"Are you there, Bastien?" asked M. Vulfran, without getting down.

"Yes, sir."

"Then take this young girl to the butterfly room, which is to be hers in
the future. See that everything is given to her that she needs. Set her
plate opposite to mine at table. Now send Felix to me. I want him to
drive me to the office."

Perrine thought that she was dreaming.

"We dine at eight o'clock," said M. Vulfran. "Until then you are free to
do as you like."

She got out of the carriage quickly and followed the old butler. She was
so dazed that it was as though she had suddenly been set down in an
ench