"Exactly; now I should seem self-interested if I allowed you to ask
anything for me from your protector. You are saved; I repeat to you that I
have made my expenses."

"Good Louve, reassure yourself; it is not you who are self-interested, it
is I who am grateful."

"Listen, then!" said La Louve, suddenly rising; "it sounds like the noise
of a carriage. Yes, yes, it approaches; hold! there it is; did you see it
pass before the gate? there is a lady within."

"Oh! goodness!" cried Fleur-de-Marie, with emotion; "I thought I
recognized--"

"Whom?"

"A handsome lady whom I saw at Saint Lazare, who was very kind to me."

"Is she aware that you are here?"

"I do not know; but she is acquainted with the person of whom I have spoken
and who (if he wish, and he will, I hope) can make a reality of our Saint
Lazare castles in the air."

A noise of footsteps approaching rapidly was heard behind the hedge;
Francois and Amandine, who, thanks to the kindnss of Saint Remy, had not
left La Louve, came rushing into the garden, crying:

"La Louve, here is a fine lady with my lord: they want to see
Fleur-de-Marie at once."