Marcel had great difficulty in inducing them to accept Monsieur Antoine's treacherous gift. He had to tell them, to swear to them that it was Madame d'Estrelle's earnest desire. He left them as tranquil as possible, Julien struggling not to disturb by his apprehensions the delight which his mother could not but feel at the thought of returning to the home where she had lived happily so many years. Marcel then hurried to the hôtel D'Estrelle and ordered Camille to pack up such articles as her mistress needed for a brief stay in the country. "Ah! _mon Dieu!_" said the amazed Camille, "does not madame la comtesse send for me to join her?" "It is unnecessary for so short a time." "But madame can neither dress nor arrange her hair alone! Think of it! a lady who has always been served according to her rank!" "She will find servants in the house where she is." "She must be with some poor people then, since she dislikes to have her own servants boarded there. Perhaps madame is really ruined herself? Alas! alas! such a kind and generous mistress!" Camille began to weep, and, although her tears were perfectly sincere, she added: "And my wages, monsieur le procureur; who will pay them?" "I will pay everything to-morrow," replied Marcel, who was accustomed to that blending of sentiment and practicalness which is always noticeable in such disasters; "have all the household accounts prepared, and meanwhile take the keys. You will be responsible for everything until to-morrow." "Very good, monsieur, I will be responsible," said the maid, beginning to sob afresh; "but are we to leave madame's service? will madame not return?" "I did not say that, and I have received no orders to dismiss you."