epan and filled a cup with the savory soup.

The Baroness returned with it, carrying it carefully, so as not to spill
a drop.

"Take that, my dear lady," she said, kneeling down beside the bed.
"Don't move, but just open your lips."

A spoonful was put to the sick woman's lips, but she could not swallow
it. Again she fainted, and this time she remained unconscious for a
longer time. The Baroness saw that the soup was not needed, and so as
not to waste it, she made Perrine take it.

A day passed. The doctor came, but there was nothing he could do.

Perrine was in despair. She wondered how long the thirty francs that La
Rouquerie had given her would last. Although their expenses were not
great, there was first one thing, then another, that was needed. When
the last sous were spent, where would they go? What would become of them
if they could get no more money?

She was seated beside her mother's bedside, her beautiful little face
white and drawn with anxiety. Suddenly she felt her mother's hand,
which she held in hers, clasp her fingers more tightly.

"You want something?" she asked quickly, bending her head.

"I want to speak to you ... the hour has come for my last words to you,
darling," said her mother.

"Oh, mama! mama!" cried Perrine.

"Don't interrupt, darling, and let us both try to control ourselves. I
did not want to frighten you, and that is the reason why, until now, I
have said nothing that would add to your grief. But what I have to say
must be said, although it hurts us both. We are going to part...."

In spite of her efforts, Perrine could not keep back her sobs.

"Yes, it is terrible, dear child, and yet I am wondering if, after all,
it is not for the best ... that you will be an orphan. It may be better
for you to go alone than to be taken to them by a mother whom they have
scorned. Well, God's will is that you should be left alone ... in a few
hours ... tomorrow, perhaps...."

For a moment she stopped, overcome with emotion.

"When I ... am gone ... there will be things for you to do. In my pocket
you will find a large envelope which contains my marriage certificate.
The certificate bears my name and your father's. You will be asked to
show it, but make them give it back to you. You might need it later on
to prove your parentage. Take great care of it, dear. However, you
might lose it, so I want you to learn it by heart, so that you will
never forget it. Then, when a day comes and you ne