ed the writing-stand, a sudden idea occurred to
her. Not content with once more searching the cardboard boxes, she drew
out one of them from the pigeon-hole, hoping to find what she sought
behind the box: her first attempt failed, but the second was more
successful. She found behind the middle box a copy-book of considerable
thickness. She started in surprise, for she had expected something else;
yet she took the manuscript, opened it, and rapidly turned over the
leaves. After having perused several pages, she manifested her
satisfaction, and seemed as if about to put the book in her pocket; but
after a moment's reflection, she replaced it where she had found it,
arranged everything in order, took her candle, and quitted the apartment
without being discovered--of which, indeed, she had felt pretty sure,
knowing that Mother Bunch would be occupied with Mdlle. de Cardoville for
some hours.

The day after Florine's researches, Mother Bunch, alone in her bed
chamber, was seated in an arm-chair, close to a good fire. A thick carpet
covered the floor; through the window-curtains could be seen the lawn of
a large garden; the deep silence was only interrupted by the regular
ticking of a clock, and the crackling of the wood. Her hands resting on
the arms of the chair, she gave way to a feeling of happiness, such as
she had never so completely enjoyed since she took up her residence at
the hotel. For her, accustomed so long to cruel privations, there was a
kind of inexpressible charm in the calm silence of this retreat--in the
cheerful aspect of the garden, and above all, in the consciousness that
she was indebted for this comfortable position, to the resignation and
energy she had displayed, in the thick of the many severe trials which
now ended so happily. An old woman, with a mild and friendly countenance,
who had been, by express desire of Adrienne, attached to the hunchback's
service, entered the room and said to her: "Mademoiselle, a young man
wishes to speak to you on pressing business. He gives his name as
Agricola Baudoin."

At this name, Mother Bunch uttered an exclamation of surprise and joy,
blushed slightly, rose and ran to the door which led to the parlor in
which was Agricola.

"Good-morning, dear sister," said the smith, cordially embracing the
young girl, whose cheeks burned crimson beneath those fraternal kisses.

"Ah, me!" cried the sempstress on a sudden, as she looked anxiously at
Agricola; "what is that