“But, then, madame, how do you explain the meeting of these two men, who have so many motives for mutual aversion?  May there not be some dark project still behind?  Besides, madame, I am not the only one to think so.”

“How is that?”

“This morning, on my return, I was so much agitated, that Mdlle.  Florine asked me the cause of my trouble.  I know, madame, how much she is devoted to you.”

“Nobody could be more so; only recently, you yourself informed me of the signal service she rendered, during my confinement at Dr. Baleinier’s.”

“Well, madame, this morning, on my return, thinking it necessary to have you informed as soon as possible, I told all to Mdlle.  Florine.  Like me—­even more, perhaps—­she was terrified at the meeting of Rodin and M. d’Aigrigny.

“After a moment’s reflection, she said to me:  ’It is, I think, useless to disturb my mistress at present; it can be of no importance whether she is informed of this treachery two or three hours sooner or later; during that time I may be able to discover something more.  I have an idea, which I think a good one.  Make my excuses to my mistress; I shall soon be back.’  Then Florine sent for a hackney-coach, and went out.”

“Florine is an excellent girl,” said Mdlle. de Cardoville, with a smile, for further reflection had quite reassured her:  “but, on this occasion, I think that her zeal and good heart have deceived her, as they have you, my poor friend.  Do you know, that we are two madcaps, you and I, not to have thought of one thing, which would have put us quite at our ease?”

“How so, madame?”

“The Abbe d’Aigrigny fears M. Rodin; he may have sought him out, to entreat his forbearance.  Do you not find this explanation both satisfactory and reasonable?”

“Perhaps so, madame,” said Mother Bunch, after a moment’s reflection; “yes, it is probable.”  But after another silence, and as if yielding to a conviction superior to every possible argument, she exclaimed:  “And yet, no; believe me, madame, you are deceived.  I feel it.  All appearances may be against what I affirm; yet, believe me, these presentiments are too strong not to be true.  And have you not guessed the most secret instincts of my heart?  Why should I not be able to guess the dangers with which you are menaced?”

“What do you say? what have I guessed?” replied Mdlle. de Cardoville, involuntarily impressed by the other’s tone of conviction and alarm.

“What have you guessed?” resumed the latter.  “All the troublesome susceptibility of an unfortunate creature, to whom destiny has decreed a life apart.  If I have hitherto been silent, it is not from ignorance of what I owe you.  Who told you, madame, that the only way to make me accept your favors without blushing, was to give me some employment, that would enable me to soothe the misfortunes I had so long shared?  Who told you, when you wished me to have a seat at