"
Josephine sat silent for a moment. In what direction might she
herself now turn for even the humblest friendship? And where was
any home now for her? The recreant maid saw something of this upon
her face.
"Madame," she exclaimed, falling upon her knees in consternation.
"To think I would desert you! In my heart resides nothing but
loyalty for you. How could you doubt?"
But Josephine was wise in her own way. That night Jeanne kissed
her hand dutifully, yet the very next morning she had changed her
mind. With sobs, tears, she admitted that she had decided to leave
service, no longer to be Jeanne, but Madame Hector Fournier. Thus,
at the very time when she most would have needed aid and
attendance, Josephine saw herself about to be left alone.
"But, Madame," said Jeanne, still tearful, returning after brief
absence from the room, "although I leave now for St. Genevieve to
stand before the priest, I shall not see madame left without
attendance. See, I have asked of this Lily person,--_la voici_,
Madame--if she could take service with madame.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315