"It means, father, that I went, all alone, to see the old Seigneur de Marvejols, that I told him the whole story of his son's treatment of Bathilde, giving him as proof of what I said a letter that Monsieur Léodgard once wrote to my friend; and that I demanded justice at his hands for the victim of the seduction.--That is what I did, father, without asking Bathilde's permission." "Nor mine either, I believe?" "That is true, father. Are you angry with me for doing it? Do you think that I did wrong?" Hugonnet reflected a moment, then cried: "I' faith! no! You did not do wrong. But you should have told me.--No matter; kiss me; you are a good girl, a true friend.--Well! we will go to the marquis's to-morrow, and we will see what he has to say. After all, he cannot make it out a crime in us to take a poor child in, who was without a home and without means." "Oh! no, father! on the contrary, he thanked me for doing it." "Go now, and take your friend her letter. It probably contains the same invitation as this one." "Yes, father, I am going. But if you knew how excited I am! What will Bathilde say when she learns that I went to her seducer's father and told him everything?" "Why, you are not afraid of her scolding you, are you? I have forgiven you." "Oh! that is not the same thing." "True; with me, you are always sure of being in the right. But you acted for Bathilde's good--and, above all, for her child's! Go--go; if the friend blames, the mother will pardon you!" Ambroisine left her father and went to her friend's room, concealing beneath her neckerchief the marquis's second letter. She tried to assume an indifferent, cheerful air as she walked toward Bathilde; but the latter was not deceived, and after looking into Ambroisine's eyes for an instant she said, somewhat sharply: "You have something to tell me, and you are afraid to speak; what makes you afraid? Cast out and cursed by my parents, abandoned by the man I loved, it seems to me that I can defy fate now. What more have I to dread?" "It is true that I have something to tell you; but it is no new misfortune that threatens you--far from it!" "What is it, then, and why do you hesitate to say what you have to say?" Ambroisine took from her bosom the letter sealed with the marquis's crest, and handed it to Bathilde, saying in a faltering tone: "Here--here is a letter that was just brought here for you." "A letter!--Oh! it is from him; yes, nobody but he can have written to me. So he is still thinking of me--and you did not give it to me at once!" Bathilde had already snatched the letter; she broke the seal, unfolded the sheet, and read: "The Marquis de Marvejols requests Demoiselle Bathilde Landry to come to his house to-morrow, at two o'clock, accompanied by Master Hugonnet and his daughter Ambroisine."