“Yes-yes, mother,” said the sempstress, more and more embarrassed.  She had too much uprightness and sagacity not to perceive that this plan of mutually insuring the morality of masters and servants resembled a vast spy system, brought home to the domestic hearth, and carried on by the members of the institution almost without their knowledge, for it would have been difficult to disguise more skillfully the employment for which they were trained.

“If I have entered into these long details my dear daughter,” resumed Mother Sainte-Perpetue, taking the hearer’s silence for consent, “it is that you may not suppose yourself obliged to remain in the house in question, if, against our expectation, you should not find there holy and pious examples.  I believe Mme. de Bremont’s house to be a pure and godly place; only I have heard (though I will not believe it) that Mme. de Bremont’s daughter, Mme. de Noisy, who has lately come to reside with her, is not so exemplary in her conduct as could be desired, that she does not fulfil regularly her religious duties, and that, during the absence of her husband, who is now in America, she receives visits, unfortunately too frequent, from one M. Hardy, a rich manufacturer.”

At the name of Agricola’s master, Mother Bunch could not suppress a movement of surprise, and also blushed slightly.  The superior naturally mistook this surprise and confusion for a proof of the modest susceptibility of the young sempstress, and added:  “I have told you all this, my dear daughter, that you might be on your guard.  I have even mentioned reports that I believe to be completely erroneous, for the daughter of Mme. de Bremont has always had such good examples before her that she cannot have so forgotten them.  But, being in the house from morning to night, you will be able, better than any one, to discover if these reports have any foundation in truth.  Should it unfortunately so turn out, my dear daughter, you would come and confide to me all the circumstances that have led you to such a conclusion; and, should I then agree in your opinion, I would withdraw you instantly from the house—­for the piety of the mother would not compensate sufficiently for the deplorable example of the daughter’s conduct.  For, as soon as you form part of the institution, I am responsible for your salvation, and, in case your delicacy should oblige you to leave Mme. de Bremont’s, as you might be some time without employment, the institution will allow you, if satisfied with your zeal and conduct, one franc a day till we could find you another place.  You see, my dear daughter, that you have everything to gain with us.  It is therefore agreed that the day after to-morrow you go to Mme. de Bremont’s.”  Mother Bunch found herself in a very hard position.  Sometimes she thought that her first suspicions were confirmed, and, notwithstanding her timidity, her pride felt hurt at the supposition, that, because