"I don't understand you either," murmured Marguerite, fixing her small eyes on the marquis. "Better still, adorable girl," responded the marquis to Blanche, without paying the least attention to Marguerite. "They did not deceive me, this is innocence itself, the most perfect ingenuousness united to the most seductive grace and beauty." "But, monsieur, was that what M. Touquet told you to say to me?" "No, lovely child, not at all," said the marquis laughing, and still retaining Blanche's hand, which she vainly tried to disengage. "It's necessary however that you should explain yourself," said Marguerite in a dry tone, "you have been here for a quarter of an hour and you have not yet said why you came. It is very late and we are accustomed to go to bed early." "Oh, well, old woman, go to your bed; I will remain with this lovely child until the return of Master Touquet." "Do you think I will leave you alone with my dear Blanche," cried Marguerite, rendered still more suspicious by the word old, "no, monsieur, no, I take better care of her than that. Your laces, your jewelry, and your fine appearance do not inspire me with much confidence. Wait! take back your pieces of gold, I don't wish them, for I begin to believe that your intentions are not good, and Marguerite will never second the plans of a seducer, whether duke or prince, even should he offer her the mines of Peru." The marquis replied only by shrugging his shoulders without turning towards Marguerite, then he seated himself near Blanche and took off his hat and mantle, establishing himself in the room like one who is not disposed to go. Blanche was trembling, confused; she looked at Marguerite as if to implore her not to abandon her, and the old woman, whom the conduct of the stranger had filled with new dread, forced herself to appear calm, saying in a voice whose faltering accents betrayed her fright,-- "Be easy, my child, I am here, I will not leave you, and while monsieur does not appear to listen to me it is, above all, necessary that he should tell us what he came here to do." "I have told you, my good woman, I am waiting for Touquet. I must speak to him this evening; that is very important." "And just now you said that it was he who had sent you; you were deceiving us, then?" "Perhaps," said the marquis, laughing. "Very well, monsieur, if you are really waiting for my master, come into the lower room. I will give you a light, and you will find a fire there." "No, indeed, my good woman, I like this much better than your lower room; the society of this charming child will make the time seem very short, and surely, adorable Blanche, you will not be cruel enough to refuse to keep me company." "No, monsieur, if you desire it, if it will amuse you, I must wish it also." "Yes," said Marguerite, "it seems that it is necessary that we should do monsieur's will, but patience--soon I hope--"