in the sweetest of voices, and with
a feigned humility of manner, she declared this little room to be even
much too good for a poor widow whose misfortunes had compelled her to
abdicate her position in society.

The attentions which M. and Madame de Fondege showed her contributed not
a little to her resignation. Without knowing exactly what the General
and his wife expected from Mademoiselle Marguerite, she was shrewd
enough to divine that they hoped to gain some important advantage.
Now her "dear child" had declared her to be a trusted friend, who was
indispensable to her existence and comfort. "So these people will pay
assiduous court to me," she thought. And being quite ready to play
a double part as the spy of the Marquis de Valorsay, and the Fondege
family, and quite willing to espouse the latter's cause should that
prove to be the more remunerative course, she saw a long series of
polite attentions and gifts before her.

That very evening her prophecies were realized; and she received a proof
of consideration which positively delighted her. It was decided that
she should take her meals at the family table, a thing which had never
happened at the Hotel de Chalusse. Mademoiselle Marguerite raised a few
objections, which Madame Leon answered with a venomous look, but Madame
de Fondege insisted upon the arrangement, not understanding, she said,
graciously, why they need deprive themselves of the society of such an
agreeable and distinguished person. Madame Leon in no wise doubted but
this favor was due to her merit alone, but Mademoiselle Marguerite, who
was more discerning, saw that their hostess was really furious at the
idea, but was compelled to submit to it by the imperious necessity of
preventing Madame Leon from coming in contact with the servants, who
might make some decidedly compromising disclosures. For there were
evidently many little mysteries and make-shifts to be concealed in this
household. For instance, while the servants were carrying the luggage
upstairs, Marguerite discovered Madame de Fondege and her maid in
close consultation, whispering with that volubility which betrays an
unexpected and pressing perplexity. What were they talking about? She
listened without any compunctions of conscience, and the words "a pair
of sheets," repeated again and again, furnished her with abundant food
for reflection. "Is it possible," she thought, "that they have no sheets
to give us?"

It did not take her long