Let us
go back."
She helped her dear little friend to get up and they returned to the
house as they had come. Mademoiselle Frahender was just coming out to
look for them.
"Here we are, little lady, don't scold," said Esperance playfully.
The little old lady shook her head chidingly.
"You do not look well, my child. You are up too early. Six o'clock,
that pert little Breton told me, when I found her fumbling in our
trunks. When I told her that I was going to complain of her she said,
'Oh! don't do that, Madame, my godfather, the Duke de Morlay, would
never forgive me!"
The girls looked at each other.
"I promise to say nothing, but you must watch her carefully."
They were just going in when Maurice joined them, out of breath.
"Hello! cousin. Where do you spring from?"
"I have been looking for you for half an hour to give you the
programme, edited by Jean and enlivened by your humble servant. Here
you are, and here you are, naughty lady, who gives no word of warning
to her lover of early morning escapades."
"Oh! Maurice, it was I who led Genevieve astray, and I am doubly
repentant. She will tell you why."
Maurice grew serious.
"What means that haggard face, cousin, and the collar of your dress is
all wet? Come, come, Genevieve herself seems ill at ease. I would like
to know what you two have been up to."
"Well! take her into that grove, you will find a bench there, and she
will tell you all about it.
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