"They are only wooden dolls," said _la petite_ Comtesse. "They have no thoughts. I do not think they can instruct me, for I--I wish not to be vain, but I know more than they do." M. le Comte was much distressed at hearing this. "I like thy teaching best, grandpère. Tell them to go and come back no more." "I have engaged them for a month, _ma pauvre petite_. Thou must even bear with them for a month, _mon ange_, and then they shall go. But say not to them that they shall go!" "_Non, non, mon_ grandpère, not for the world," said Margot. The month came to an end. Margot endured it because she began to teach the aged, ignorant governesses herself. She found the task quite agreeable and did not mind what the ladies felt; in fact, they were fascinated by her talk and found her pretty speeches and gay manners truly diverting. They were earning large sums of money and had nothing to do. They were not teaching, they were being taught. At last the day came when the thunderbolt fell. Margot was sent up to her room. The two ladies arrived in a hurry together by special request of M. le Comte. Madame looked at them with anxious eyes. "I did not know that you were quite so ignorant, Félicité," she said, "nor you, Thérèse. I have given _mon mari l'argent_ to pay you both, but my poor friends, behold, you must come here no more!" The astonished ladies were received by M. le Comte. He received them civilly but with a certain distance. He said he had other views for _la petite_. He paid them their month's money, which Madame had given him for the purpose, and they walked down the neatly kept avenue, burning rage in their hearts. Why had they made themselves so ugly for so poor a reward? Suddenly, as they were approaching Arles, hoping not to be recognised, whom should they see coming to meet them but several girls belonging to the school of la Princesse de Fleury! Amongst these girls was Louise Grognan. Most of the girls took no notice whatsoever of the faded-looking old ladies, but Louise recognised them. Quick as thought she made up her mind. She said a word to her companion, explained that she knew the _chères demoiselles_, and presently was walking by their sides. "You keep the _Cabinet de Beauté_?" she said. "We do and we have almost ruined ourselves for nothing," said M'selle Close. Tears crept between her eyelids. "Tell me everything," said Louise, "and perhaps I can help." "You! How can you possibly help?" "Well, at least tell me; I will do my best."