"M. Bernard," replied Herminie, "this desire on your part is too natural for Ernestine and me to feel any inclination to oppose it; and some evening when Ernestine will be at liberty, we will let you know, and you must do us the honour to come and take a cup of tea with us." "May I really?" the veteran exclaimed, joyfully. Then he added: "Yes, yes, the world does indeed seem to be upside down, for it is those who are already under heavy obligations who have benefits heaped upon them by their benefactors; but I am more than resigned, so adieu, my dear young ladies, or, rather, _au revoir_. Are you ready, Olivier?" But as he reached the door he paused, and seemed to hesitate, then after a moment's reflection he came back, and said: "I cannot do it, my dear young ladies; I cannot carry my secret away with me." "A secret, M. Bernard?" "Yes; I have been on the point of telling it twice, but both times I have checked myself, because I had promised to keep silence; but after all, it is only right that Mlle. Ernestine, to whom I owe my life, should at least know why I am so glad to live--" "I, too, think you owe Ernestine this reward, M. Bernard," said Herminie. "I assure you that I should be very happy to be honoured with your confidence, monsieur," added Mlle. de Beaumesnil. "And it would be a real proof of confidence, mademoiselle, for, as I told you, I was advised to keep the matter a secret, and I must confess, my dear Olivier, that it was to keep it a secret from you that I went out this morning." "But why, uncle? I do not understand." "Why, because in spite of all the advice in the world, in my first transports of happiness over the good news which I had just heard, I couldn't have helped falling upon your neck and telling you all. So I went out, hoping to become sufficiently accustomed to my happiness to be able to conceal it from you afterwards." "But, uncle, what good news do you refer to?" inquired Olivier, with increasing surprise. "Your friend who was at the house this morning did not tell you that his first visit was to me, did he?" "No, uncle, when he came out into the garden to find me, I supposed he had just arrived." "Yes, for we had agreed to say nothing about our interview, as it was he who brought me the good news, and Heaven knows he was pleased enough about it, though everything else seemed to be going wrong with him. In short, young ladies, you will understand my happiness, I think, when I tell you that my brave Olivier has been made an officer." "I?" exclaimed Olivier, with rapturous delight, "I an officer?" "Oh, what happiness for you, M. Olivier," cried Herminie. "Yes, my brave boy," exclaimed the veteran, pressing Olivier's hands warmly, "yes, you are an officer; but I was to keep the secret from you until the day you will receive your commission, so your happiness would be complete, for you do not know all--"