"That is as monsieur pleases; all the same, I said many Spanish words which she understood perfectly.--And then I must tell you that she had a little child with her, who isn't her own child, but of whom she is as fond as a goat of her kid, and the pretty little lad, whose mind is bigger than his body, speaks French as well as you and I. Now, monsieur, this Moorish woman, whose name in French is Mercedes----" "Mercedes is a Spanish name!" said the marquis, climbing into his great bed with Adamas's aid. "I meant to say that it was a Christian name," continued the servant. "Six months ago, Mercedes took it into her head to go and find Monsieur de Rosny, whom she had heard spoken of as the late king's right arm, and who, she had been told, although he was in disgrace, was still powerful because of his wealth and his virtue. So she started for Poitou, where she was told Monsieur de Sully lived. Aren't you surprised, monsieur, at the resolution of such a poor, ignorant woman, to travel across half of France, on foot, with only a little child who is hardly ten years old, with the idea of calling on such an exalted personage?" "But you don't tell me what this woman's reason was for acting thus?" "That is the wonderful part of the story, monsieur! What can it be, do you think?" "I could never guess! tell me at once, for it is late." "I would tell you if I knew; but I know no more about it than you do, and, try as hard as I would, I could not induce her to tell." "Good-night, then." "Wait till I cover the fire, monsieur." And, as he covered the fire, Adamas continued, raising his voice: "That woman is altogether mysterious, monsieur le marquis, and I would like to have you see her!" "Now?" said the marquis, rousing himself with a start. "You are joking; it is time to go to sleep." "To be sure; but to-morrow morning?" "Is she in the house, pray?" "Why, yes, monsieur! She asked for a corner to pass the night under shelter. I gave her some supper, for I know monsieur does not wish us to refuse bread to the unfortunate, and I sent her to lie on the straw after talking with her." "And you did wrong, monsieur; a woman is always a woman. And--I hope that there are no other beggars there? I do not want any indecency on my premises." "Nor do I, monsieur! I put her and her child, all alone, in the small cellar, where they are quite comfortable, I assure you; they do not seem accustomed to such good quarters, poor things! And yet this Mercedes is as neat and clean as one can be in such poverty. Moreover, she is not at all ugly." "I trust, Adamas, that you will not impose upon her destitute condition. Hospitality is a sacred thing!"