Here stood a chambermaid in a clean light dress and a muslin cap at her service ... she who only a few days before had slept in a hut on a bed of ferns with rats and frogs scampering about her. "Thank you," she said at last, collecting her wits, "but I do not need anything ... at least I think not." "If you like I will show you the apartment," said the maid. What she meant by "show the apartment" was to throw open the doors of a big wardrobe with glass doors, and a closet, then to pull out the drawers of the dressing table in which were brushes, scissors, soaps and bottles, etc. That done, she showed Perrine two knobs on the wall. "This one is for the lights," she said, flashing on the electric light, "and this one is the bell if you need anything. "If you need Bastien," she explained, "you have to ring once, and if you need me, ring twice." How much had happened in a few hours! Who would have thought when she took her stand against Theodore and Talouel that the wind was going to blow so favorably in her direction. How amusing it was ... their ill feeling towards her had itself brought her this good luck. "I suppose that young girl did something foolish?" said Talouel, meeting his employer at the foot of the steps. "I see she has not returned with you." "Oh, no; she did not," replied M. Vulfran. "But if Felix drove you back?..." "As I passed the chateau I dropped her there so that she would have time to get ready for dinner." "Dinner? Oh, I suppose...." He was gasping with amazement, and for once he could not say what he did suppose. "You do nothing but 'suppose'," said M. Vulfran, tartly. "I may as well tell you that for a long time I have wanted someone intelligent to be near me, one who is discreet and whom I can trust. This young girl seems to have these qualities. I am sure that she is intelligent, and I have already had the proof that I can trust her." M. Vulfran's tone was significant. Talouel could not misunderstand the sense of his words. "I am taking her to live with me," continued M. Vulfran, "because I know that there are those who are trying to tempt her. She is not one to yield, but I do not intend that she should run any risk at their hands." These words were said with even greater significance. "She will stay with me altogether now," continued M. Vulfran. "She will work here in my office; during the day she will accompany me; she will eat at my table. I shall not be so lonesome at my meals, for her chatter will entertain me." "I suppose she will give you all the satisfaction that you expect," remarked Talouel suavely. "I suppose so also," replied his employer, very drily.