It was Madame Dauvray's habit when she was particularly pleased with Celia to dismiss her maid quickly, and to send her to brush the girl's hair at night; and in a little while on this night Helene went to Celia's room. While she brushed Celia's hair she told her that Servettaz's parents lived at Chambery, and that he would like to see them. "But the poor man is afraid to ask for a day," she said. "He has been so short a time with madame." "Of course madame will give him a holiday if he asks," replied Celia with a smile. "I will speak to her myself to-morrow." "It would be kind of mademoiselle," said Helene Vauquier. "But perhaps--" She stopped. "Well," said Celia. "Perhaps mademoiselle would do better still to speak to Servattaz himself and encourage him to ask with his own lips. Madame has her moods, is it not so? She does not always like it to be forgotten that she is the mistress." On the next day accordingly Celia did speak to Servettaz, and Servettaz asked for his holiday. "But of course," Mme. Dauvray at once replied. "We must decide upon a day." It was then that Helene Vauquier ventured humbly upon a suggestion. "Since madame has a friend coming here on Tuesday, perhaps that would be the best day for him to go. Madame would not be likely to take a long drive that afternoon." "No, indeed," replied Mme. Dauvray. "We shall all three dine together early in Aix and return here." "Then I will tell him he may go to-morrow," said Celia. For this conversation took place on the Monday, and in the evening Mme. Dauvray and Celia went as usual to the Villa des Fleurs and dined there.