"This is a most respectable young woman, mademoiselle; she came to bid Monsieur Dalville good-day, and brought this child, that he thinks a great deal of. There isn't the slightest harm in that." "All right! so much the better, if there's no harm. I say! what an amusing fellow you are, Bertrand, when you put on that severe expression! It's a fact that the girl has a very innocent look. I'm sure that her cap would be mighty becoming to me." During this conversation, which was carried on in undertones, Denise kept her eyes on the floor; she saw that Mademoiselle Virginie looked at her a great deal, and that redoubled her embarrassment. "Why on earth does Monsieur Dalville keep this sweet child waiting?" said Virginie, assuming an affable air and approaching Denise. "Because monsieur is busy and told me not to disturb him." "Ah, yes! I understand, I comprehend! _Ask me no more!_" Bertrand motioned to her to be silent; but she sat down beside Denise, paying no attention to the ex-corporal. "Have you come far, mademoiselle?" "From Montfermeil, madame," replied Denise timidly. The word madame seemed to flatter Virginie, who threw her head back and tried to assume a dignified bearing, as she rejoined: "Montfermeil? that's in the direction of Sceaux, I believe?" "No, madame, it's near Raincy." "Ah, yes! to be sure; I was mixed up. Is the little fellow asleep yonder your brother?" "No, madame, he's a poor little orphan, that Monsieur Auguste is taking care of." "The deuce! does Auguste do that kind of thing? That's very fine of him, and I am glad to hear it; it gives him a higher place in my esteem.--And you want to see Auguste, do you?" "Yes, madame; Coco's father has just died, and I wanted to consult Monsieur Dalville." "What have you got in that basket?" "Some little presents from our place--eggs and chickens, and some cake that my aunt made herself." "Oh! I'm awfully fond of village-made cake! Will you let me taste it, my young village maid?" Denise would have preferred to present the cake untouched to Auguste; but she dared not refuse Mademoiselle Virginie, who instantly opened the basket and broke off a big piece, which she proceeded to eat, continuing the conversation meanwhile. "I'm very much afraid, my dear, that you've come here for nothing." "Why so, madame?" "Oh! that ne'er-do-well will let you cool your heels here till to-morrow morning." "Who, madame?" "Why, Auguste, to be sure! The cake is fine, and the butter delicious. It reminds me of my childhood; I used to eat cake like this every night; I bought it for four sous at the little shop on Boulevard Saint-Denis, where there's always a line waiting; it's famous for this cake.--To go back, I was saying, my dear, that Dalville is undoubtedly with some hussy or other, and that's why we can't speak to him." "What! do you think so, madame?"