"Oh, please, sir," she exclaimed; "don't read it. It is not correct ... it is all confused. I was just trying." "Oh, never mind that." "Oh, but I do mind. I should be ashamed to let you see this." He wanted to take the sheet of paper, but she put both her small hands over it. She determined to hold her own even with one of the heads of the house. Until then he had spoken pleasantly to her. "Now give it to me," he said briefly. "I'm not playing schoolmaster with a pretty little girl like you." "But, sir, it is impossible; I can't let you see it," she said obstinately. Laughingly he tried to take it from her, but she resisted him. "No, I will not let you have it," she said with determination. "Oh, this is a joke!" replied Theodore. "It is not a joke; I am very serious," said little Perrine. "Monsieur Vulfran forbade me to let anyone see this letter. I am obeying him." "It was I who opened it." "The letter in English is not the translation." "Oh, my uncle will show me this wonderful translation presently," he replied. "If your uncle shows it, very well; but that won't be me showing it. He gave me his orders and I must obey him." He saw by her resolute attitude that if he wanted the paper he would have to take it from her by force. But then, if he did so, she would probably call out. He did not dare go as far as that. "I am delighted to see how faithfully you carry out my uncle's orders, even in trivial things," he said, sarcastically, leaving the room. When he had gone and closed the door Perrine tried to go on with her work, but she was so upset she found it impossible to do so. She knew that Theodore was not delighted, as he had said, but furious. If he intended to make her pay for thwarting his will, how could she defend herself against such a powerful enemy? He could crush her with the first blow and she would have to leave. The door was again opened and Talouel, with gliding step, came into the room. His eyes fell at once on the letter. "Well, how is the translation of that letter from Dacca coming along?" he asked. "I have only just commenced it," replied Perrine timidly. "M. Theodore interrupted you just now. What did he want?" "A French and English dictionary." "What for? He doesn't know English." "He did not tell me why he wanted it." "Did he want to know what was in the letter?" asked Talouel. "I had only commenced the first phrase," said Perrine, evasively. "You don't ask me to believe that you have not read it?" "I have not yet translated it." "I ask you if you have read it." "I cannot reply to that." "Why not?" "Because M. Vulfran has forbidden me to speak of this letter." "You know very well that M. Vulfran and I are as one. All of his orders pass by me; all favors that he bestows are also passed by me. I have to know all that concerns him." "Even his personal affairs?" "Does that letter relate to personal affairs then?" asked Talouel. She realized that she had let herself be caught.