"It is as you say, doubtless, but the danger is over now, my dear child, so I may as well tell you that my visit this morning is important, very important. You know that I have made it a point of honour not to say anything to you of late in relation to the grave matter that first brought me here." "Yes, monsieur, and I am grateful to you for not having again referred to a subject that is so painful to me." "I am compelled to speak again, if not of Madame de Beaumesnil, at least of her daughter," said the marquis, casting a keen, searching look at Herminie, in order to discover--though he was almost certain to the contrary--if the young girl knew that her new friend was Mlle. de Beaumesnil; but he did not feel the shadow of a doubt of Herminie's ignorance on the subject when she promptly replied, without the slightest embarrassment: "You say you must speak of Madame de Beaumesnil's daughter, monsieur?" "Yes, my dear child. I have made no attempt to conceal my devoted friendship for Madame de Beaumesnil, nor her dying requests in relation to the young orphan whom I have not yet discovered, in spite of the most persistent efforts. I told you, too, of the no less urgent request of the countess concerning her daughter, Ernestine. For divers reasons which, believe me, do not affect you in the least, I am very desirous, solely on Mlle. de Beaumesnil's account, understand, that you two young girls should become acquainted." "But how could that be brought about, monsieur?" asked Herminie, eagerly, thinking what happiness it would give her to know her sister. "In the easiest way imaginable--a way that was even suggested to you, I believe, when you so nobly returned that five hundred franc note to Madame de la Rochaigue." "Yes, monsieur, Madame de la Rochaigue did give me some reason to hope that I might be employed to give Mlle. de Beaumesnil music lessons." "Well, my dear child, that has been arranged." "Really, monsieur?" "Yes, I had a talk with the baroness last evening, and either to-day or to-morrow she is going to mention the matter to Mlle. de Beaumesnil. I do not doubt that she will accept the proposition. As for you, my dear child, I do not apprehend any refusal on your part." "Far from it, monsieur." "Besides, what I ask for this young girl, I ask in the name of the mother to whom you were so devotedly attached," said the marquis, with deep emotion. "You can not doubt the interest I shall always feel in Mlle. de Beaumesnil, monsieur, but the relations between, us will, of course, be confined to our lessons." "Not by any means." "But, monsieur!" "You must understand, my dear child, that I should not have taken all this trouble to bring about an acquaintance between Mlle. de Beaumesnil and yourself, if it was to be confined to the lessons given and received." "But, monsieur--" "There are important interests at stake, interests which I feel can be safely intrusted to your hands." "Explain, monsieur, I beg of you."