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 they knew her poor, they should believe her capable of selling herself as a spy for the sake of high wages.  Sometimes, on the contrary, her natural delicacy revolted at the idea that a woman of the age and condition of the superior could descend to make a proposition so disgraceful both to the accepter and the proposer, and she reproached herself with her first doubts and asked herself if the superior had not wished to try her, before employing her, to see if her probity would enable her to resist a comparatively brilliant offer.  Mother Bunch was naturally so inclined to think well of every one, that she made up her mind to this last conclusion, saying to herself, that if, after all, she were deceived, it would be the least offensive mode of refusing these unworthy offers.  With a movement, exempt from all haughtiness, but expressive of natural dignity, the young workman raised her head, which she had hitherto held humbly cast down, looked the superior full in the face, that the latter might read in her countenance the sincerity of her words, and said to her in a slightly agitated voice, forgetting this time to call her “mother”:  “Ah, madame!  I cannot blame you for exposing me to such a trial.  You see that I am very poor, and I have yet done nothing to command your confidence.  But, believe me, poor as I am, I would never stoop to so despicable an action as that which you have thought fit to propose to me, no doubt to assure yourself, by my refusal, that I am worthy of your kindness.  No, no, madame—­I could never bring myself to be a spy at any price.”