wed her great regard for us by becoming, when only thirteen years of
age, Clara's godmother, her noble father standing as the other sponsor;
and, ever since, Madame de Lucenay has loaded her godchild with presents
and kind attentions. But I must not keep you--I see you are impatient;
so I will at once proceed with the business part of my tale. You must
know, then, that last night I received by express the following letter
from Madame de Lucenay:

"MY DEAR MADAME DUBREUIL:

"'You must prepare the small pavilion in the orchard for
occupation by to-morrow evening. Send there all the requisite
furniture, such as carpets, curtains, etc., etc. Let nothing be
wanted to render it, in every respect, as _comfortable_ as
possible.'

"Do you mark the word 'comfortable,' Madame Georges?" inquired Madame
Dubreuil, pausing in the midst of her reading; "it is even underlined."
Then looking up at her friend with a thoughtful, puzzled expression of
countenance, and receiving no answer, she continued the perusal of her
letter:

"'It is so long since the pavilion has been used that it will
require large and constant fires both night and day to remove the
dampness from the walls. I wish you to behave in every respect to
the person who will occupy the apartments as you would do to
myself. And you will receive by the hands of the new visitant a
letter from me explanatory of all I expect from your well-known
zeal and attachment. I depend entirely on you and feel every
assurance that I may safely reckon on your fidelity and desire to
serve me. Adieu, my dear Madame Dubreuil; remember me most kindly
to my pretty goddaughter; and believe me ever,

"'Yours, sincerely and truly,
"'NOIRMONT DE LUCENAY.

"'P.S. The person whom I so strongly recommend to your best care
and attention will arrive the day after to-morrow, about dusk.
Pray do your very utmost to render the pavilion as _comfortable_
as you possibly can.'

"Comfortable again, you see, and underlined as before," said Madame
Dubreuil, returning the letter of Madame de Lucenay to her pocket.

"Well," replied Madame Georges, "all this is simple enough!"

"How do you mean, simple enough? you cannot have heard me read the
letter. Madame la Duchesse wishes particularly 'that the pavilion should
be rendered as comfortable as possible.' Now