Then, having passed them all in review, she began praising M. de Brevan, whom she always called M. Maxime.  She declared that he had won her heart from the beginning, when he had first come to the house, day before yesterday, to engage the room.  She had never seen a more perfect gentleman, so kind, so polite, and so liberal!  With her great experience, she had at once recognized in him one of those men who seem to be born expressly for the purpose of inspiring the most violent passions, and of securing the most lasting attachments.

Besides, she added with a hideous smile, she was sure of his deep interest in her pretty new tenant; and she was so well convinced of this, that she would be happy to devote herself to her service, even without any prospect of payment.

This did not prevent her from saying to Henrietta, as soon as she had finished her breakfast,—­

“You owe me two francs, miss; and, if you would like it, I can board you for five francs a day.”

Thereupon she went into a lively discussion to show that this would be on her part a mere act of kindness, because, considering how dear every thing was, she would most assuredly lose.

But Henrietta stopped her.  Drawing from her purse a twenty-franc piece, she said,—­

“Make yourself paid, madam.”

This was evidently not what the estimable woman expected; for she drew back with an air of offended dignity, and protested,—­

“What do you take me to be, miss?  Do you think me capable of asking for payment?”

And, shrugging her shoulders, she added,—­

“Besides, does not all that regards your expenses concern M. Maxime?”

Thereupon she quickly folded the napkin, took the plates, and disappeared.  Henrietta did not know what to think of it.  She could not doubt that this Megsera pursued some mysterious aim with all her foolish talk; but she could not possibly guess what that aim could be.  And still that was not all that kept her thoughts busy.  What frightened her most of all was the feeling that she was evidently altogether at M. de Brevan’s mercy.  All her possessions amounted to about two hundred francs.  She was in want of every thing, of the most indispensable articles:  she had not another dress, nor another petticoat.  Why had not M. de Brevan thought of that beforehand?  Was he waiting for her to tell him of her distress, and to ask him for money?  She could not think so, and she attributed his neglect to his excitement, thinking that he would no doubt come soon to ask how she was, and place himself at her service.

But the day passed away slowly, and night came; but he did not appear.  What did this mean?  What unforeseen event could have happened? what misfortune could have befallen him?  Torn by a thousand wild apprehensions, Henrietta was more than once on the point of going to his house.