“Madame, in two words, I can state the truth.  I have a food old mother, who in her youth, broke her health by excessive labor, to enable her to bring me up; and not only me, but a poor abandoned child whom she had picked up.  It is my turn now to maintain her; and that I have the happiness of doing.  But in order to do so, I have only my labor.  If I am dragged from my employment, my mother will be without support.”

“Your mother cannot want for anything now, sir, since I interest myself for her.”

“You will interest yourself for her, madame?” said Agricola.

“Certainly,” replied Adrienne.

“But you don’t know her,” exclaimed the blacksmith.

“Now I do; yes.”

“Oh, madame!” said Agricola, with emotion, after a moment’s silence.  “I understand you.  But indeed you have a noble heart.  Mother Bunch was right.”

“Mother Bunch?” said Adrienne, looking at Agricola with a very surprised air; for what he said to her was an enigma.

The blacksmith, who blushed not for his friends, replied frankly.

“Madame, permit me to explain, to you.  Mother Bunch is a poor and very industrious young workwoman, with whom I have been brought up.  She is deformed, which is the reason why she is called Mother Bunch.  But though, on the one hand, she is sunk, as low as you are highly elevated on the other, yet as regards the heart—­as to delicacy—­oh, lady, I am certain that your heart is of equal worth with hers!  That was at once her own thought, after I had related to her in what manner, yesterday, you had presented me with that beautiful flower.”

“I can assure you, sir,” said Adrienne, sincerely touched, “that this comparison flatters and honors me more than anything else that you could say to me,—­a heart that remains good and delicate, in spite of cruel misfortunes, is so rare a treasure; while it is very easy to be good, when we have youth and beauty, and to be delicate and generous, when we are rich.  I accept, then, your comparison; but on condition that you will quickly put me in a situation to deserve it.  Pray go on, therefore.”

In spite of the gracious cordiality of Miss de Cardoville, there was always observable in her so much of that natural dignity which arises from independence of character, so much elevation of soul and nobleness of sentiment that Agricola, forgetting the ideal physical beauty of his protectress, rather experienced for her the emotions of an affectionate and kindly, though profound respect, which offered a singular and striking contrast with the youth and gayety of the lovely being who inspired him with this sentiment.