"Not the least bit in the world. Quite the contrary, in fact, and that was what surprised me so much. When one asks questions of this nature, a request to be frank generally means that you are to lie; while she thanked me in such an earnest and pathetic way for my sincerity that I was really touched, in spite of myself." "Do you know what I think, M. Olivier? I really believe the poor child must have been very unkindly treated at home. She must have been told a hundred times that she was a monster of ugliness, and, finding herself for the first time in her life with some one she really felt that she could trust, she wanted to know the truth in regard to herself." "You are probably right, Mlle. Herminie, and what touched me, as it did you, was to see with what gratitude the poor girl welcomed the slightest sign of interest, provided it was sincere." "Would you believe it, I have seen big tears well up in her eyes more than once this evening, M. Olivier?" "I, too, somehow fancied that her gaiety concealed a habitual melancholy. She was trying to forget herself, perhaps." "And then her trade, which unfortunately requires such an expenditure of time and labour, is so unremunerative, poor child! If the trials of poverty should be added to her other troubles--" "I fear that is only too probable, Mlle. Herminie," said Olivier, feelingly. "She is, indeed, very much to be pitied!" "Hush, here she comes," said Herminie. Then she added: "But she is putting on her wrap; they must be taking her away." And in fact, Ernestine, behind whom Madame Laine was walking with an imposing air, came to the door, and made a slight movement of the head to Herminie as if to indicate that she was leaving with regret. The duchess hastened to her new friend. "What! you are going already?" she asked. "I must," answered Ernestine, with a meaning look at innocent Madame Laine. "But you will come next Sunday, will you not? You know we shall have a thousand things to say to each other." "I hope to come, my dear Herminie, I shall be so anxious to see you again." Then with a gracious bow to the young hussar, Ernestine said: "_Au revoir_, M. Olivier." "_Au revoir_, mademoiselle," replied the young soldier, with a bow. An hour afterwards Mlle. de Beaumesnil and Madame Laine were safe within the walls of the Hotel de la Rochaigue. CHAPTER IV. REASON ASSERTS ITSELF. On her return from Madame Herbaut's little entertainment, mademoiselle opened her journal and wrote as follows: "Thank Heaven, my darling mamma; the inspiration to which I yielded was a wise one! "What a cruel lesson I received at first, then how much valuable information, and lastly what delightful compensation! "Two persons with true, honest hearts manifested a genuine interest in me. "A genuine, unselfish interest this time, for these persons, at least, have not even a suspicion that I am the richest heiress in France.