devotion which for some days she had so bravely extended to Mdlle. de Cardoville—­the Jesuit did not like to see the latter thus laboring to increase that affection.  He thought, wisely, that one should never despise friend or enemy, however small they may appear.  Now, devotion to Mdlle. de Cardoville constituted an enemy in his eyes; and we know, moreover, that Rodin combined in his character rare firmness, with a certain degree of superstitious weakness, and he now felt uneasy at the singular impression of fear which Mother Bunch inspired in him.  He determined to recollect this presentiment.

Delicate natures sometimes display in the smallest things the most charming instincts of grace and goodness.  Thus, when the sewing-girl was shedding abundant and sweet tears of gratitude, Adrienne took a richly embroidered handkerchief, and dried the pale and melancholy face.  This action, so simple and spontaneous, spared the work-girl one humiliation; for, alas! humiliation and suffering are the two gulfs, along the edge of which misfortune continually passes.  Therefore, the least kindness is in general a double benefit to the unfortunate.  Perhaps the reader may smile in disdain at the puerile circumstance we mention.  But poor Mother Bunch, not venturing to take from her pocket her old ragged handkerchief, would long have remained blinded by her tears, if Mdlle. de Cardoville had not come to her aid.

“Oh! you are so good—­so nobly charitable, lady!” was all that the sempstress could say, in a tone of deep emotion; for she was still more touched by the attention of the young lady, than she would perhaps have been by a service rendered.

“Look there, sir,” said Adrienne to Rodin, who drew near hastily.  “Yes,” added the young patrician, proudly, “I have indeed discovered a treasure.  Look at her, sir; and love her as I love her, honor as I honor.  She has one of those hearts for which we are seeking.”

“And which, thank heaven, we are still able to find, my dear young lady!” said Rodin, as he bowed to the needle-woman.

The latter raised her eyes slowly, and locked at the Jesuit.  At sight of that cadaverous countenance, which was smiling benignantly upon her, the young girl started.  It was strange! she had never seen this man, and yet she felt instantly the same fear and repulsion that he had felt with regard to her.  Generally timid and confused, the work-girl could not withdraw her eyes from Rodin’s; her heart beat violently, as at the coming of some great danger, and, as the excellent creature feared only for those she loved, she approached Adrienne involuntarily, keeping her eyes fixed on Rodin.  The Jesuit was too good a physiognomist not to perceive the formidable impression he had made, and he felt an increase of his instinctive aversion for the sempstress.  Instead of casting down his eyes, he appeared to examine her with such sustained attention, that Mdlle. de Cardoville was astonished at it.