Adrienne stood aghast. The very mirror of truth herself, she could not
imagine that any one--least of all any woman--could be so false and
cruel as to practice the artifice to which the milliner had resorted; and,
here, just as she saw a way opened by which she might support both
her grandmother and herself until the handkerchief was completed, a
change threatened her, by which she was to be left altogether without
food. Still her conscience was so tender that she even doubted the
propriety of accepting her old wages were she really incompetent to
earn them.

"I had hoped, madame," she said, the color coming and going on
cheeks that were now usually pale--"I had hoped, madame, that you
found my work profitable. Surely, surely I bring home as much at night
as any other demoiselle you employ."

"In that there is not much difference, I allow, mademoiselle; but you can
imagine that work done by one accustomed to the art is more likely to
please customers than work done by one who has been educated as a
lady. Cependant, I will not throw you off, as I know that your poor
dear grandmother--"

"Si--si," eagerly interrupted Adrienne, trembling from head to foot with
apprehension.

"I know it all, mademoiselle, and the dear old lady shall not suffer; you
shall both be made happy again on fifteen. To ease your mind,
mademoiselle, I am willing to make a written contract for a year; at that
rate, too, to put your heart at ease."

"Non--non--non," murmured Adrienne, happy and grateful for the