“It is true, M. Agricola.”

“And what will you say, mademoiselle, when I prove to you that our speculator finds also a great advantage in giving to his workmen, in addition to their regular wages, a proportionate share of his profits?”

“That appears to me more difficult to prove, M. Agricola.”

“Yet I will convince you of it in a few minutes.”

Thus conversing, Angela and Agricola had reached the garden-gate of the Common Dwelling-house.  An elderly woman, dressed plainly, but with care and neatness, approached Agricola, and asked him:  “Has M. Hardy returned to the factory, sir?”

“No, madame; but we expect him hourly.”

“To-day, perhaps?”

“To-day or to-morrow, madame.”

“You cannot tell me at what hour he will be here?”

“I do not think it is known, madame, but the porter of the factory, who also belongs to M. Hardy’s private house, may, perhaps, be able to inform you.”

“I thank you, sir.”

“Quite welcome, madame.”

“M.  Agricola,” said Angela, when the woman who had just questioned him was gone, “did you remark that this lady was very pale and agitated?”

“I noticed it as you did, mademoiselle; I thought I saw tears standing in her eyes.”

“Yes, she seemed to have been crying.  Poor woman! perhaps she came to ask assistance of M. Hardy.  But what ails you, M. Agricola?  You appear quite pensive.”

Agricola had a vague presentiment that the visit of this elderly woman with so sad a countenance, had some connection with the adventure of the young and pretty lady, who, three days before had come all agitated and in tears to inquire after M. Hardy, and who had learned—­perhaps too late—­that she was watched and followed.

“Forgive me, mademoiselle,” said Agricola to Angela; but the presence of this old lady reminded me of a circumstance, which, unfortunately, I cannot tell you, for it is a secret that does not belong to me alone.”

“Oh! do not trouble yourself, M. Agricola,” answered the young girl, with a smile; “I am not inquisitive, and what we were talking of before interests me so much, that I do not wish to hear you speak of anything else.”

“Well, then mademoiselle, I will say a few words more, and you will be as well informed as I am of the secrets of our association.”

“I am listening, M. Agricola.”

“Let us still keep in view the speculator from mere interest.  ’Here are my workmen, says he, ’in the best possible condition to do a great deal of work.  Now what is to be done to obtain large profits?  Produce cheaply, and sell dear.  But there will be no cheapness, without economy in the use of the raw material, perfection of the manufacturing process, and celerity of labor.  Now, in spite of all my vigilance, how am I to prevent my workmen from wasting the materials?  How am I to induce them, each in his own province, to seek for the most simple and least irksome processes?”