"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 embarra.s.sment.

"Why on earth does Monsieur Dalville keep this sweet child waiting?"

said Virginie, a.s.suming 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 a.s.sume 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 b.u.t.ter 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?"

"Oh! I'm sure of it! Do you suppose I don't know all about it?

Bertrand's embarra.s.sment, and the concierge's orders. In fact, it's a most surprising thing that he let you come up."

"It was Monsieur Bertrand who made him let me in; if it hadn't been for him, I should have been sent away."

"For my part, it's all a matter of indifference to me; I look on Auguste as my brother now. But you are pale, my child! Don't you feel well?"

"Yes, madame, I'm all right."

"How lucky you are, my child, to be virtuous, and not to know anything about the pa.s.sions! Always retain this innocence.--Bertrand, can't you see that this cake is choking me? For heaven's sake, give me something to drink, and this child will take something too."

"No, thank you, madame."

"Ah! the little fellow's waking up!"

Coco opened his eyes and looked about in amazement; then ran to Denise, saying:

"Where's my kind friend?"

"Oh! I guess we shan't see him," said the girl, in a tremulous voice, looking at the clock, which marked the quarter-past three, then turning her eyes on Bertrand with an imploring expression, as if to urge him to call Auguste.

"He's a pretty little fellow," said Virginie, pa.s.sing her hand over Coco's head. "I'd like to have a child like him, because a child gives one a respectable look."

A bell rang in the next room.

"Monsieur is calling me," said Bertrand; and he hurried from the salon.

At the same moment little Tony ran rapidly downstairs to put the horse in the cabriolet.

Denise expected every minute to see Auguste come in. Virginie was playing with Coco. At last Denise recognized Dalville's voice, speaking earnestly to Bertrand, and in a moment the young man entered the salon.

But he had his hat on his head, his gloves in his hand, and seemed in a great hurry. The girl ran to meet him, with the child, taking her basket in her hand.

"Good-afternoon, Denise! good-afternoon, my boy!" said Auguste, kissing the child and taking no notice of Virginie. "Have you been waiting for me? I am very sorry that I can't stay with you now."

"Monsieur, my aunt sends you her respects," said Denise, "and these chickens, eggs, pears, and----"

"Thanks, Denise, thanks! I----"

"Pray, come, monsieur; I am waiting!" said a woman's voice impatiently in the reception-room--a voice which strongly resembled Madame de la Thoma.s.siniere's.

"Adieu, adieu! I will see you again," said Auguste to Denise.

And, giving her no time to reply, he hastily left the room, closing the door behind him, and went out of the house with a young woman enveloped in a great shawl and covered with a thick veil, who shrank out of sight on the back seat of the cabriolet.

Denise stood perfectly still, basket in hand; but great tears rolled from her eyes, and the basket would have dropped, had not Virginie, who had drawn near, saved it as she caught the girl in her arms.

"Well, well! what on earth's the matter with you, my dear? On my word!

she's really crying! Mon Dieu! is she going to faint?--Bring me something, Bertrand!--The idea of being unhappy just for a man, my dear girl! G.o.d bless me! they ain't worth the trouble! If you knew 'em as well as I do! I admit that Monsieur Auguste wasn't very polite, to hardly answer you and not even thank you!--Ah! her color's coming back a little.--It really scared me to see you like that!"

Denise took out her handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and called Coco.