A ROOM IN THE HOTEL AT RAMBOUILLET.
Gaston went away without saying how they were to meet again; but Helene
thought that he would certainty manage that, and she contented herself
with watching him as long as she could. Ten minutes later the carriage
stopped at the Tigre-Royal. A woman, who was waiting, came out hastily,
and respectfully assisted the ladies to alight, and then guided them
through the passages of the hotel, preceded by a valet carrying lights.
A door opened, Madame Desroches drew back to allow Helene and Sister
Therese to pass, and they soon found themselves on a soft and easy
sofa, in front of a bright fire.
The room was large and well furnished, but the taste was severe, for the
style called Rococo was not yet introduced. There were four doors; the
first was that by which they had entered--the second led to the
dining-room, which was already lighted and warmed--the third led into a
richly-appointed bedroom--the fourth did not open.
Helene admired the magnificence of all around her--the quiet and
respectful manner of the servants; while Sister Therese rejoiced, when
she saw the smoking supper, that it was not a fast day.
Presently Madame Desroches returned, and approaching the sister, handed
her a letter. She opened it, and read as follows:
"Sister Therese may pass the night at Rambouillet, or leave again at
once, according to her own wish. She will receive two hundred louis
offered to the convent by Helene, and will give up her charge to the
care of Madame Desroches, who is honored by the confidence of Helene's
parents."
At the bottom of the letter, instead of a signature, was a cipher, which
the sister compared with that on a letter which she had brought from
Clisson. The identity being proved--
"My child," said she, "I leave you after supper."
"So soon!" said Helene, to whom Therese was now the only link to her
past life.
"Yes, my child. It is at my option to sleep here, but I prefer to return
at once; for I wish to be again at home, where the only thing wanting to
my happiness will be your presence."
Helene threw herself on Therese's neck, weeping. She recalled her youth,
passed so happily among affectionate companions, and she again saw the
towers and steeples of her former residence.
They sat down to table, and Sister Therese hastily partook of some
refreshment, then embraced Helene, who wished to accompany her to the
carriage; but Madame Desroches begged her not to do so, as the hotel
was full of strangers.
Helene then asked permission to see the poor gardener, who had been
their escort, once more. This man had become a friend to her, and she
quitted him and Therese sadly.
Madame Desroches, seeing that Helene felt vainly in her pocket, said,
"Does mademoiselle want anything?"
"Yes," said Helene; "I should wish to give a souvenir to this good man."
Madame Desroches gave Helene twenty-five louis, and she, without
counting them, slipped them into the gardener's hand, who overwhelmed
her with tears and thanks.
At length they were forced to part, and Helene, hearing the sound of
their carriage driving away, threw herself on a sofa, weeping.
Madame Desroches reminded her that she had eaten nothing. Helene
insisted that she should sup with her. After her meal she showed Helene
her bedroom, saying, "Will mademoiselle ring when she requires her
femme-de-chambre; for this evening mademoiselle will receive a visit."
"A visit!" cried Helene.
"Yes, mademoiselle; from a relation."
"And is it the one who watches over me?"
"From your birth, mademoiselle."
"Oh, mon Dieu!" cried Helene; "and he is coming?"
"He is most anxious to know you."
"Oh," murmured Helene; "I feel as if I should faint."
Madame Desroches ran to her, and supported her.
"Do you feel so much terror," asked she, "at seeing one who loves you?"
"It is not terror, it is agitation," said Helene. "I did not know that
it would be to-night; and this important news quite overcomes me."
"But I have not told you all: this person is necessarily surrounded by
mystery."
"Why so?"
"I am forbidden to reply to that question, mademoiselle."
"What necessity can there be for such precautions with a poor orphan
like me?"
"They are necessary, believe me."
"But in what do they consist?"
"Firstly, you may not see the face of this person; so that you may not
recognize him if you meet him in the world."
"Then he will come masked?"
"No, mademoiselle: but the lights will be extinguished."
"Then we shall be in darkness?"
"Yes."
"But you will remain with me, Madame Desroches."
"No, mademoiselle; that is expressly forbidden."
"By whom?"
"By the person who is coming."
"But do you, then, owe such absolute obedience to this person?"
"More than that, mademoiselle, I owe him the deepest respect."
"Is he, then, of such high station?"
"He is of the very highest in France."
"And he is my relation?"
"The nearest."
"For Heaven's sake, Madame Desroches, do not leave me in uncertainty on
this point."
"I have already told you, mademoiselle, that there are some questions to
which I am expressly forbidden to reply," and she was about to retire.
"Why do you leave me?" asked Helene.
"I leave you to your toilet."
"But, madame--"
Madame Desroches made a low, ceremonious curtsey, and went out of the
room, closing the door behind her.