"Thou art right, my adored one, not the grass-green. I, too, have thought of the education of _la petite_. It is of the utmost importance. Why not place her in the hands of a _gouvernante_? There is one, M'selle de Close. She is connected with M'selle de Blanc. She is of high rank and of great intelligence, and between M'selle de Close and M'selle de Blanc, we can have _la petite_ taught in this, thine own château, all the things that belong to the best society." "Of what age are those M'selles?" asked the Comte. "M'selle de Close is eighteen; M'selle le Blanc one year more. They are young, but they are finished--ah, to the most complete!" "And what knowledge can they impart?" asked M. le Comte. "They'll teach her all those things that a young M'selle should know. They will keep her mind, mark you, M. le Comte, as white as a white marguerite, and they will impart to her those graces of society which are essential to _le bon mari_ by-and-bye. They can come here day about, at two of the clock, and spend until four with _la petite_." "Send them to me one at a time," said the Comte, "and let me interview them alone." Accordingly Madame la Comtesse went that very day to a unique and charming little flat in a unique and charming part of Arles. It was called "_Le Cabinet de Beauté_. The lady who entered the room on the arrival of Madame called herself Félicité. She held up her hands, arched her brows and said: "Ah, Madame, have you come to me indeed? Have you come at last, that I may perform on you my art? Behold how little it is, and how much. It finishes never, see, Madame? Behold, I will mark out to you your day! You must have the _chocolat_, you must rise never later than eight o'clock, and promenade on foot for _les douches_. This exercise preserves the form. Then, behold, the masseuse appears and makes miracles of the hands. Afterwards you rest as is necessary, and M'selle Blanc does the rest. Ah, but she is a veritable artist is M'selle Blanc. You want us; you have come. I am at your feet, beautiful Madame!"