"`It seems so at present,' said the girl with a sigh. `But all the talk I have heard frightens and confuses me. Once the fire is lighted, who can say? Still I wish with all my heart, and so does my old uncle Ludovic, that the ladies were here, and not in Paris. And you may be sure the Countess will seize the first chance of returning. I was to tell you this--and to say that she will count on you, father Germain, and on Pierre, to help them if occasion arises.' "`She will not be disappointed,' said Germain, and Pierre eagerly agreed with him. "`But all the same,' continued his father, `I confess I do not see the great difficulty about their getting away; the Marquis would never _force_ his sister to stay?' "`No,' said Nanette, `but there _are_ difficulties. I think my lord has power over Mademoiselle Edmee's money, and if the Countess broke off with him she might not know what he did with it. It is something like that, but my lady never fully explained to me. I only hope--' But then Nanette hesitated. "`What, my girl?' said Madame Germain. "`Perhaps it is wrong of me to think so, but I have sometimes wondered if my dear little lady's money is safe. The Marquis is always short of money now, and for my part I think some of these fine gentlemen have strange notions of honesty.' "`Not among themselves,' said Germain. `They may rob the poor, but they would think it dishonour to rob each other. However, I can understand how you mean, Nanette,' and he too gave a deep sigh. Ruin to their young mistress would not be prosperity for Valmont. "`And who is taking your place now, my good Nanette,' asked mother Germain. `Is that girl whom Edmee disliked so--that Victorine, still with the Marquise?' "`Yes,' said Nanette. `I cannot bear her. She is clever and cunning, and no one can please the Marquise as she does. She flatters her lady to her face, but behind her back she speaks worse than any of the servants. She is as false as she can be, and would be the first to turn on her masters--she wanted to attend to Mademoiselle when she heard I was leaving, but our ladies do not like her. They live so simply--never going to parties or anything of that kind, for which indeed, Mademoiselle is too young, and my lady too sad she says--that they need but little attendance. And there is a poor girl there--a Sarinet girl-- whom my ladies have taken a fancy to. Marguerite Ribou is her name. She is a pretty, gentle girl, about my own age. I taught her what I could; perhaps with such kind mistresses she may get on,' said Nanette, with a slightly patronising tone. "`A Sarinet girl! I wonder to hear they have any one from Sarinet in the household,' said mother Germain.