“No excuse is necessary,” I returned, “if you wish to speak to me.”

“That is my desire, mademoiselle.  A thousand thanks for the permission.  I have your leave to speak.  Is it not?” she said in a quick, natural way.

“Certainly,” said I.

“Mademoiselle, you are so amiable!  Listen then, if you please.  I have left my Lady.  We could not agree.  My Lady is so high, so very high.  Pardon!  Mademoiselle, you are right!” Her quickness anticipated what I might have said presently but as yet had only thought.  “It is not for me to come here to complain of my Lady.  But I say she is so high, so very high.  I will not say a word more.  All the world knows that.”

“Go on, if you please,” said I.

“Assuredly; mademoiselle, I am thankful for your politeness.  Mademoiselle, I have an inexpressible desire to find service with a young lady who is good, accomplished, beautiful.  You are good, accomplished, and beautiful as an angel.  Ah, could I have the honour of being your domestic!”

“I am sorry—­” I began.

“Do not dismiss me so soon, mademoiselle!” she said with an involuntary contraction of her fine black eyebrows.  “Let me hope a moment!  Mademoiselle, I know this service would be more retired than that which I have quitted.  Well!  I wish that.  I know this service would be less distinguished than that which I have quitted.  Well!  I wish that, I know that I should win less, as to wages here.  Good.  I am content.”

“I assure you,” said I, quite embarrassed by the mere idea of having such an attendant, “that I keep no maid—­”

“Ah, mademoiselle, but why not?  Why not, when you can have one so devoted to you!  Who would be enchanted to serve you; who would be so true, so zealous, and so faithful every day!  Mademoiselle, I wish with all my heart to serve you.  Do not speak of money at present.  Take me as I am.  For nothing!”

She was so singularly earnest that I drew back, almost afraid of her.  Without appearing to notice it, in her ardour she still pressed herself upon me, speaking in a rapid subdued voice, though always with a certain grace and propriety.

“Mademoiselle, I come from the South country where we are quick and where we like and dislike very strong.  My Lady was too high for me; I was too high for her.  It is done—­past—­finished!  Receive me as your domestic, and I will serve you well.  I will do more for you than you figure to yourself now.  Chut!  Mademoiselle, I will—­ no matter, I will do my utmost possible in all things.  If you accept my service, you will not repent it.  Mademoiselle, you will not repent it, and I will serve you well.  You don’t know how well!”

There was a lowering energy in her face as she stood looking at me while I explained the impossibility of my engaging her (without thinking it necessary to say how very little I desired to do so), which seemed to bring visibly before me some woman from the streets of Paris in the reign of terror.