“I am Lucie, the daughter of the gate-keeper:  I have neither brothers nor sisters, and I am fourteen years old.  I am very glad you have no servant with you; I will be your little maid, and I am sure you will be pleased with me.”

Delighted at this beginning, I sat up in my bed and she helped me to put on my dressing-gown, saying a hundred things which I did not understand.  I began to drink my coffee, quite amazed at her easy freedom, and struck with her beauty, to which it would have been impossible to remain indifferent.  She had seated herself on my bed, giving no other apology for that liberty than the most delightful smile.

I was still sipping my coffee, when Lucie’s parents came into my room.  She did not move from her place on the bed, but she looked at them, appearing very proud of such a seat.  The good people kindly scolded her, begged my forgiveness in her favour, and Lucie left the room to attend to her other duties.  The moment she had gone her father and mother began to praise their daughter.

“She is,” they said, “our only child, our darling pet, the hope of our old age.  She loves and obeys us, and fears God; she is as clean as a new pin, and has but one fault.”

“What is that?”

“She is too young.”

“That is a charming fault which time will mend”

I was not long in ascertaining that they were living specimens of honesty, of truth, of homely virtues, and of real happiness.  I was delighted at this discovery, when Lucie returned as gay as a lark, prettily dressed, her hair done in a peculiar way of her own, and with well-fitting shoes.  She dropped a simple courtesy before me, gave a couple of hearty kisses to both her parents, and jumped on her father knees.  I asked her to come and sit on my bed, but she answered that she could not take such a liberty now that she was dressed, The simplicity, artlessness, and innocence of the answer seemed to me very enchanting, and brought a smile on my lips.  I examined her to see whether she was prettier in her new dress or in the morning’s negligee, and I decided in favour of the latter.  To speak the truth, Lucie was, I thought, superior in everything, not only to Angela, but even to Bettina.

The hair-dresser made his appearance, and the honest family left my room.  When I was dressed I went to meet the countess and her amiable daughter.  The day passed off very pleasantly, as is generally the case in the country, when you are amongst agreeable people.

In the morning, the moment my eyes were opened,

I rang the bell, and pretty Lucie came in, simple and natural as before, with her easy manners and wonderful remarks.  Her candour, her innocence shone brilliantly all over her person.  I could not conceive how, with her goodness, her virtue and her intelligence, she could run the risk of exciting me by coming into my room alone, and with so much familiarity.  I fancied that she would not attach much importance to