"I was looking at this girl, madame, and the more I look at her--why, it is perfectly amazing! is it possible that you haven't noticed it, madame?" "Noticed what, pray?" "This pretty flower girl--for she is pretty, is she not, madame?" "Yes, very pretty indeed; well?" "Why, madame, she looks like you, yes, she looks very much like you!" "Do you think so?--Yes, there is in fact something in her features, in her mouth--but I used to be prettier than she is!" Violette blushed, and was sorely embarrassed when she saw that the mistress and the maid were staring at her. As they said nothing more to her, she curtsied again and murmured: "Has madame any further orders for me?" "No, mademoiselle.--By the way, I will ask you, if you see this gentleman again, to thank him a thousand times for me, and to tell him, that, in spite of the mystery in which he envelops himself, I recognize him none the less, and I should be very glad to see him, in order to express in person all my gratitude; can you remember all that, my girl?" "Oh! yes, madame, I have a good memory; I shan't forget anything, I promise you." "Very good.--It is certain that there is a something about you--how old are you?" "Nineteen, madame." "Nineteen!" Madame de Grangeville seemed struck by that answer; she reflected a moment, then answered: "What! you are nineteen years old? You don't look it. Have you many brothers and sisters?" "No, madame, I am alone." "Aha! and your mother sells flowers as you do, no doubt?" "My mother--I don't know her, madame; I am a--an abandoned child." Madame de Grangeville could not control an impulsive movement; but she soon recovered herself, saying: "How foolish I am! There are very many things in the world which resemble one another in some details. The most amusing part of this is that this girl looks so much like me; it is a mere freak of chance, for the other, if she's alive, must be in the depths of Picardie." Then, turning toward the girl, the baroness continued, aloud: "Well, my child, you may go.--But, perhaps you have not been paid, and you are waiting----" "Yes, I am paid, madame; I was not waiting for anything but to be dismissed." "She talks very well.--Go then, and do not forget what I told you to say to Monsieur de Merval." "Monsieur de----?" "How thoughtless I am, to mention his name! I meant to say, the gentleman who sent you to bring this bouquet to me." "I shall not forget anything, madame." Violette took her leave, deeply moved by the interview she had had with the lady, and wondering what there was in that commonplace conversation to cause her such emotion. She went at once to the count's and found him impatiently awaiting her; he made her repeat the conversation she had had with Madame de Grangeville, to the slightest detail. "What do you think of that lady?" enquired Monsieur de Brevanne, when Violette had told him everything.