That he was excited and perturbed was at once apparent by his hurried gait and by the flush on his kindly face. He bade us a very hasty “Good morning, my daughters!” and plunged abruptly into his subject. He explained with great volubility, which was intended to mask his agitation, that he was the bearer of an invitation to the charming English lady--a curious invitation, ah, yes! perhaps!--Mademoiselle de Genneville--very eccentric--but she is in great trouble--in very serious trouble--and very ill too, now--poor lady--half paralysed and feeble--yes, feeble in the brain--and then her nephew, the Marquis Amédé de Terhoven--such a misguided young man--has got into bad company in that den of wickedness called Paris--since then it has been debts--always debts--his mother is so indulgent!--too indulgent! but an only son!--the charming English ladies would understand. It was very sad--very, very sad--and no wonder Mademoiselle de Genneville was very angry. She had paid Monsieur le Marquis’ debts once, twice, three times--but now she will not pay any more--but she is in great trouble and wants a friend--a female friend, one of her own country, she declares--for he himself, alas! was only a poor _curé de village_, and did not understand great ladies and their curious ways. It would be true Christian charity if the charming English lady would come and see Mademoiselle. “But her own sister, the Marquise?” suggested Lady Molly, breaking in on the old man’s volubility. “Ah! her sister, of course,” he replied with a sigh. “Madame la Marquise--but then she is Monsieur le Marquis’ mother, and the charming English lady would understand--a mother’s heart, of course----” “But I am a complete stranger to Miss de Genneville,” protested Lady Molly. “Ah, but Mademoiselle has always remained an Englishwoman at heart,” replied the Curé. “She said to me to-day: ‘I seem to long for an Englishwoman’s handshake, a sober-minded, sensible Englishwoman, to help me in this difficulty. Bring your English friend to me, Monsieur le Curé, if she will come to the assistance of an old woman who has no one to turn to in her distress.’” Of course, after that I knew that my dear lady would yield. Moreover, she was keenly interested in Miss de Genneville, and without further discussion she told Monsieur le Curé that she was quite ready to accompany him to the château of Porhoët. 2 Of course, I was not present at the interview, but Lady Molly has so often told me all that happened and how it happened, and with such a wealth of picturesque and minute detail, that sometimes I find it difficult to realise that I myself was not there in person.