"I must seem despicable, indeed, in the eyes of a person who dared to take such a liberty as that," the proud girl was saying to herself just as there came a timid ring at the door. Herminie opened it to find herself confronted by M. Bouffard and a stranger. This stranger was Gerald de Senneterre. CHAPTER XXX. AN APOLOGY ACCEPTED. On seeing the Duc de Senneterre, who was an entire stranger to her, Herminie coloured with surprise, and said to M. Bouffard, with much embarrassment: "I did not expect to have the pleasure of seeing you again so soon, monsieur." "No more did I, mademoiselle. No more did I! It was this gentleman who forced me to return." "But I do not know the gentleman," Herminie answered, more and more astonished. "No; I have not the honour of being known to you, mademoiselle," said Gerald, with an expression of the deepest anxiety on his handsome features, "and yet, I have come to ask a favour of you. I beseech you not to refuse it." Gerald's handsome face showed so much frankness, his emotion seemed so sincere, his voice was so earnest, his manner so respectful, and his appearance so elegant and _distingue_, that it never once occurred to Herminie that this could be the stranger she was so bitterly reproaching. Besides, reassured by M. Bouffard's presence, and unable to imagine what favour the stranger could have come to ask, the duchess, turning to her landlord, said, timidly: "Will you have the goodness to come in, monsieur?" And as she spoke, she led the way into her own room. The young duke had never seen a woman who compared with Herminie in beauty, and this beauty alike of form and feature was greatly enhanced by the dignified modesty of her demeanour. But when Gerald followed the girl into her room and saw the countless indications of refined habits and exquisite taste everywhere apparent, he felt more and more confused, and in his profound embarrassment he could not utter a word. Amazed at the stranger's silence, Herminie turned inquiringly to M. Bouffard, who said: "It will be best to begin at the beginning, my dear young lady. I will explain why this gentleman--" "Allow me," said Gerald, interrupting M. Bouffard. Then, turning to Herminie, he continued, with a charming mixture of frankness and deference: "I may as well confess that it is not a favour I have come to ask, but forgiveness." "Of me, monsieur--and why?" asked Herminie, ingenuously. "My dear mademoiselle," said M. Bouffard, with a meaning gesture, "this is the young man who paid me that money, you know. I met him just now, and--" "It was you, monsieur?" cried Herminie, superb in her indignation. And looking Gerald full in the face, she repeated, witheringly: "It was you?" "Yes, mademoiselle, but listen, I beg of you." "Enough, monsieur, enough!" said Herminie. "Such audacity seems inconceivable! You have at least the courage to insult, monsieur," added Herminie, with crushing contempt.