apprehension of losing even that miserable pittance. Nor would her
employer consent to let her work by the piece, at which the dear child
might have earned at least thirty sous, for she discovered that she had to
deal with a person of conscience, and that in no mode could as much be
possibly extracted from the assistant, as by confiding to her own honor.
At nine each day she was to breakfast. At a quarter past nine, precisely,
to commence work for her employer; at one, she had a remission of half
an hour; and at six, she became her own mistress.

{marchande de mode = milliner; rusee = crafty; couturiere =
seamstress}

"I put confidence in you, mademoiselle," said the marchande de mode,
"and leave you to yourself entirely. You will bring home the work as it is
finished, and your money will be always ready. Should your
grandmother occupy more of your time than common, on any occasion,
you can make it up of yourself, by working a little earlier, or a little later;
or, once in a while, you can throw in a day, to make up for lost time.
You would not do as well at piecework, and I wish to deal generously
by you. When certain things are wanted in a hurry, you will not mind
working an hour or two beyond time, and I will always find lights with
the greatest pleasure. Permit me to advise you to take the intermissions
as much as possible for your attentions to your grandmother, who must
be attended to properly. Si--the care of our parents is one of our most
solemn duties! Adieu, mademoiselle; au revoir!"

{find lights = supply candles; si = yes indeed}

This was one of the speeches of the marchande de mode to Adrienne,
and the dear girl repeated it in her mind, as she sat at work on me,