"`This girl is an orphan. Her only brother died some years ago. I think there was some ugly story about his death, though she never speaks of it,' said Nanette. `I fancy he was cruelly treated, and that even the Marquis was somewhat ashamed, and the girl was offered a place at the chateau to save appearances.' "`I wonder she took it,' said mother Germain. "`She was starving probably,' said Nanette. `Hunger is a hard master. But I doubt if her feelings to the family are much better than those of Victorine, only Marguerite says nothing.' "Suddenly Pierre broke in. "`Marguerite Ribou--I remember her!' he exclaimed. `Mother, you have not forgotten my telling you of what I saw at Sarinet?--a young man all fainting and bleeding, and they were _driving_ him--the brutes! And his sister was called Marguerite. Yes, indeed! how could she go to serve them?' "`It must have been, as I say--she had no choice,' answered Nanette. `And now I think she will stay out of affection for our ladies, who have been kind to her from the first. But for them, in that bad Paris, what would have become of her, heaven only knows. I must be going, my good friends. I promised mother not to be long--my first day at home! But I shall see you often, for I shall not be more quickly tired of talking of our ladies than you will be of hearing. The Countess has such trust in you; she even told me to say to you--' But here again poor Nanette stopped, and the tears filled her eyes. `There is no hurry,' she said; `I will tell you another time.' "`Nay, my dear,' said Mother Germain, `I would like to hear it now, while her words are fresh in your mind.' "`It was the day I left. She was very sad; I think she was sorry for me to go, and perhaps there were other causes. "Tell my dear Germains," she said, "that if anything happens to me--one knows not what it might be in these times that are threatening us--there is no one--I have no friends I trust as I do them, no one to whom I could better confide my child. Even little Pierre"--my lady does not know how tall you are now, Monsieur Pierre,' said Nanette, with a smile--`"Pierre, I believe, would give his life for Edmee," she said.' "`And she said true,' said Pierre, his face glowing. "`Thank you, Mademoiselle Nanette, for telling me her very words.' "Then at last the girl left them, after reminding them all, Pierre included, that she counted upon them as guests at her wedding the following week. "`She is a good girl,' said Madame Germain, when Nanette had gone; `but that she always was. She comes of a good stock. Old Ludovic is as faithful a servant as any one could possibly desire. Nanette has improved wonderfully. I used not to think her so intelligent and quick of perception.' "`It is the society of the Countess that has improved and educated her,' said father Germain, between the puffs of smoke from his pipe, which he was again enjoying--with, however, a grave, almost uneasy, expression on his face.