As she spoke, she was trying to support Esperance, but almost falling herself under the weight of the inert body. She cried at her own impotence, but she was obliged to accept the Duke's help to get Esperance as far as the marble bench. "Try," she said holding out Esperance's tiny handkerchief, "to get me a little water." "Instantly, Mademoiselle ... there is a fountain near at hand." When he came back Genevieve moistened the poor child's temples. The Duke was very pale. "Mademoiselle, believe me that I am greatly upset at what has happened. I had no idea...!" "I shall be very glad to excuse you. Esperance looks a little better, had you not better go away?" "But I cannot leave you all alone like this." He took Esperance's hand, and it seemed to him that warmth came back into it. Esperance opened her eyes. Still half unconscious, she looked at him curiously, then she cried sharply out, "Have mercy, go away, go away!" And she gave way to hysterical sobs. The Duke said humbly, "I will leave you." And then kneeling before her, "Forgive me, I am going; I am leaving you ... but I entreat you to forgive me." He was sincere in what he said. Both girls felt it. Esperance had risen gently. "I am betrothed to Count Styvens," she said. "You know that. I know that my emotion just now was foolish, but I am sick at heart and I am not always able to control myself. You are good, I see that. Please help me to cure myself. I will be grateful to you all my life." "I give you my word...." his voice trembled. "I will make myself...." and he went away. As soon as they were left alone the two girls took counsel as to what course they should pursue. Esperance, in despair, threw herself on Genevieve's judgment, and Genevieve asked permission to consult Maurice. "Could we not keep it as a secret?" "I am afraid, darling, that that would not be right. We are sure of Maurice's discretion, and we need advice as well as help." Esperance looked at her companion. "How could the Duke have known? Oh! I suppose the little Breton girl who waits on us was the culprit. We must get rid of her. We have only three days to spend here, and then, too, I am sure that the Duke will keep his word. I was struck by his pallor, and his eyes when he looked at you were full of tears, but I believe he was sincere; there is less to fear from staying than fleeing perhaps, since we know that. Let us go back." She helped her dear little friend to get up and they returned to the house as they had come. Mademoiselle Frahender was just coming out to look for them. "Here we are, little lady, don't scold," said Esperance playfully. The little old lady shook her head chidingly. "You do not look well, my child. You are up too early. Six o'clock, that pert little Breton told me, when I found her fumbling in our trunks. When I told her that I was going to complain of her she said, 'Oh! don't do that, Madame, my godfather, the Duke de Morlay, would never forgive me!"