ng his cap near the fireplace, attired in a blouse and
a pair of ragged trousers, fairly alarmed her. Still, no sign of her
agitation was perceptible on her countenance. Not a muscle of her
beautiful, proud face moved--her glance remained clear and haughty, and
she exclaimed in a ringing voice: "I am the late Count de Chalusse's
ward, Mademoiselle Marguerite. You have received my letter, I suppose?"

M. Fortunat bowed with all the grace of manner he was wont to display in
the circles where he went wife-hunting, and with a somewhat pretentious
gesture he advanced an arm-chair, and asked his visitor to sit down.
"Your letter reached me, mademoiselle," he replied, "and I was expecting
you--flattered and honored beyond expression by your confidence. My
door, indeed, was closed to any one but you."

Marguerite took the proffered seat, and there was a moment's silence.
M. Fortunat found it difficult to believe that this beautiful, imposing
young girl could be the poor little apprentice whom he had seen in
the book-bindery, years before, clad in a coarse serge frock, with
dishevelled hair covered with scraps of paper. In the meantime,
Marguerite was regretting the necessity of confiding in this man, for
the more she looked at him, the more she was convinced that he was
not an honest, straightforward person; and she would infinitely have
preferred a cynical scoundrel to this plausible and polite gentleman,
whom she strongly suspected of being a hypocrite. She remained silent,
waiting for M. Fortunat to dismiss the young man in the blouse, whose
presence she could not explain, and who stood in a sort of mute ecstasy,
staring at her with eyes expressive of the most intense surprise and
the liveliest admiration. But weary at last of this fruitless delay, she
exclaimed: "I have come, monsieur, to confer with you respecting certain
matters which require the most profound secrecy."

Chupin understood her, for he blushed to the tips of his ears, and
started as if to leave the room. But his employer detained him with a
gesture.

"Remain, Victor," he said kindly, and, turning to Mademoiselle
Marguerite, he added: "You have no indiscretion to fear from this worthy
fellow, mademoiselle. He knows everything, and he has already been
actively at work--and with the best result--on your behalf."

"I don't understand you, sir," replied the girl.

M. Fortunat smiled sweetly. "I have already taken your business in hand,
mademoiselle," said