"Thanks to her, I soon had a large number of pupils, several of them much older than myself,--my pride is continually cropping out, you see, madame. In this way, what was at first child's play became a vocation, and, later on, a valuable resource. At the age of fourteen, I was the second piano teacher, with a salary of twelve hundred francs, so you can form some estimate of the wealth I must have amassed at the age of sixteen and a half." "Poor child! So young, and yet so full of indomitable energy and noble pride!" exclaimed the countess, unable to restrain her tears. "Then why did you leave the school?" she continued, after she had conquered her emotion. "Our noble-hearted principal died, and another lady--who unfortunately did not resemble my benefactress in the least--took her place. The newcomer, however, proposed that I should remain in the institution upon the same terms. I accepted her offer, but, at the end of two months, my great fault--and my hot head--caused me to sever my connection with the school." "And why?" "My new employer was as hard and tyrannical as the other had been kind and affectionate, and one day--" Herminie's beautiful face turned a vivid scarlet at the recollection, and she hesitated a moment. "One day," she continued, at last, "this lady made a remark to me that cut me to the quick." "What did the wicked creature say to you?" demanded Madame de Beaumesnil, for Herminie had paused again, unwilling to wound the countess by repeating the insulting and heartless words: "You are very proud for a bastard that was reared by charity in this very house." "What did that wicked woman say to you?" insisted Madame de Beaumesnil. "I beg that you will not insist upon my repeating her heartless words," replied Herminie. "Though I have not forgotten, I have at least forgiven them. But the very next day I left the house with my little savings. With these I fitted up my modest _menage_, for since that time I have lived alone, in a home of my own." Herminie uttered the words, "in a home of my own," with such a proud and satisfied air, that Madame de Beaumesnil, with tears in her eyes, despite the smile upon her lips, pressed the young girl's hand affectionately, and said: "I am sure this home of yours must be charming." "Oh, yes, madame, there is nothing too elegant for me." "Come, tell me all about it. How many rooms are there in your apartment?" "Only one, besides a tiny hall; but it is on the ground floor, and looks out upon a garden. The room is small, so I could afford a pretty carpet and curtains. I have only one armchair, but that is velvet. I have but little furniture, it is true, but that little is in very good taste, I think. There is one thing more that I aspire to, however, and that ambition will soon be realised." "And what is that?"