Whereupon Miss Celine Leroque dropped upon a hassock, at the feet of her irate mistress, and laughed outright--actually laughed unreservedly, in the presence and despite the rage of the ancient maiden! [Illustration: "Then you shall have my answer. Until then--"--page 178.] Then observing that she was preparing another burst of wrath, the girl appeared to be struggling for composure, and vainly endeavoring to articulate something, of which Miss Arthur could only catch the name, "Mr. Percy." Thereupon she fairly bounced out of her chair, demanding to know "what on earth" Mr. Percy had to do with her maid's reprehensible conduct. "Oh, mademoiselle, everything!" gasped Celine. "Only let me explain, and mademoiselle will laugh, too. Oh, _Mon dieu, Mon dieu_!" Calming herself by a violent effort, Celine told her story, and its magic dispelled the wrath of her much neglected, sorely aggrieved mistress. Such a pretty little story it was, interspersed with sly looks, knowing nods, and rippling bursts of laughter. Listened to with, first, disdainful silence; then, growing interest; last, spasmodic giggles, _apropos_ ejaculations, and much blushing and maidenly confusion. "You see, mademoiselle, after you had gone down, I went to my room, to take just a few little stitches upon some of my poor garments, that I must wear to-morrow. I don't know how it was, but I sat on my bedside thinking, after it was done, and fell off asleep." "Off the bed?" "Oh! no, no, mademoiselle; off into sleep, I mean. When I awoke I was anxious to know how much time I had slept away, and came down to your apartments. You were still in the drawing-room, and I passed on to the kitchen, surprised to find that it was very late. 'I will hasten,' I thought, 'and can so go to the village, and telegraph my sister before my mistress rings for me;' for I didn't think," with a sly look, "that you would be at liberty _very_ early in the evening. The--what you name him?--a--operateur, was out, and I had to wait a little time. Coming back so late, I became afraid of the woods, and took the path along the highway. Entering at the front and coming up the avenue, I was about to pass around by the east walk to the side entrance when,--" stifling a laugh. [Illustration: "O, Mademoiselle, every thing!" gasped Celine.--page 180.] "Well?" impatiently. "When the front door opened and I, standing in the shadow, saw the light fall upon the face and figure of Monsieur Percy." "Yes; go on." "I mention this, mademoiselle, only to show you how I know so positively that it _was_ monsieur who--oh! oh!" laughing again softly. "Who?" with increased impatience; "who did what, girl?" eyeing her suspiciously.