"I have come, madame," said Herminie, gently but proudly, "to return the money. I have been paid." No one present realised or could realise the bitter sorrow hidden in these words: "I have been paid." But Herminie's dignity and disinterestedness, a disinterestedness which the shabby garments of the young girl rendered the more remarkable, made a deep impression on Madame de la Rochaigue, and she said: "Really, mademoiselle, I can not praise too highly this delicacy and keen sense of honour on your part. The family did not know that you had been paid, but," added the baroness, hesitatingly, for Herminie's air of quiet dignity impressed her not a little,--"but I--I feel that I may, in the name of the family, beg you to keep this five hundred francs--as--as a gift." And the baroness held out the bank-note to the young girl, casting another quick glance at her shabby garments as she did so. Again a blush of wounded pride mounted to Herminie's brow, but it is impossible to describe the perfect courtesy and proud simplicity with which the girl replied: "Will you, madame, kindly reserve this generous gift for the many persons who must appeal to you for charity." Then, without another word, Herminie bowed to Madame de la Rochaigue, and turned towards the door. "Excuse me, mademoiselle," cried the baroness, "one word more, just one." The young girl, unable to entirely conceal the tears of humiliation repressed with such difficulty until now, turned, and said to Madame de la Rochaigue, who seemed to have been suddenly struck with a new idea: "What do you wish, madame?" "I must ask you first to pardon an insistence which seems to have wounded your delicacy, and made you think, perhaps, that I wished to humiliate you, but I assure you--" "I never suppose that any one desires to humiliate me, madame," replied Herminie, gently and firmly, but without allowing Madame de la Rochaigue to finish her sentence. "And you are right, mademoiselle," responded the baroness, "for it is an entirely different sentiment that you inspire. Now, I have a service, I might even say a favour, to ask of you." "Of me?" "Do you still give piano lessons, mademoiselle?" "Yes, madame." "M. de la Rochaigue," said the baroness, pointing to her husband, who was smiling according to his custom, "is the guardian of Mlle. de Beaumesnil, who is expected to arrive here this evening." "Mlle. de Beaumesnil!" exclaimed Herminie, with a violent start; "she is coming here--to-day?" "As madame has just had the honour to say to you, we expect Mlle. de Beaumesnil, my much loved cousin and ward, will arrive this evening," said the baron. "These apartments are intended for her," he added, casting a complacent glance around the magnificent room, "apartments worthy in every respect of the richest heiress in France, for whom nothing is too good--" But the baroness, unceremoniously interrupting her husband, said to Herminie: