That evening Perrine told the great news to her governess, who was delighted. While they were talking about it, M. Vulfran came into the room. "Mademoiselle," he said, "I have come to ask a favor of you in the name of all the village. It is a big favor. It may mean a great sacrifice on your part. This is it." In a few words he outlined the request he had to make. It was that mademoiselle should send in her resignation at the schools and take charge of the five crèches which he was going to build. He knew of no one who was capable of taking on their shoulders such a big burden. He would donate a crèche to each village and endow it with sufficient capital to keep up its maintenance. Although Mlle. Belhomme loved to teach, and it would be indeed a sacrifice for her to give up her school, she felt, after she had talked with the blind man, that it was here where her duty lay. It was indeed a great work that she was called upon to do, and she would enter upon her task with all the enthusiasm of which her big heart was capable. "This is a great thing you are doing, Monsieur Vulfran," she said, with tears in her eyes, "and I will do all I can to make this work a success." "It is your pupil one must thank for it," said the blind man, "not I. Her words and suggestions have awakened something in my heart. I have stepped out on a new road. I am only at the first steps. It is nothing compared with what I intend to do." "Oh, please," said Perrine, her eyes bright with delight and pride, "if you still want to do something...." "What is it?" he asked with a smile. "I want to take you somewhere ... tonight." "What do you mean? Where do you want to take me?" asked the blind man, mystified. "To a place where your presence only for a few moments will bring about extraordinary results," said Perrine. "Well, can't you tell me where this mysterious place is?" asked M. Vulfran. "But if I tell you, your visit will not have the same effect. It will be a failure. It will be a fine evening and warm, and I am sure that you will not take cold. Please say you will go!" "I think one could have confidence in her," said Mademoiselle Belhomme, "although her request seems a little strange and childish." "Well," said M. Vulfran, indulgently, "I'll do as you wish, Aurelie. Now at what hour are we to start on this adventure?" "The later it is the better it will be," said Perrine. During the evening he spoke several times of the outing they were to have, but Perrine would not explain. "Do you know, little girl, you have aroused my curiosity?" he said at last. "I am glad you are interested," she said gravely. "There is so much that can be done in the future. Do not look back to the past any more." "The future is empty for me," said the blind man bitterly.