"Here is a good night's work! Eighteen thousand francs!"
The Queen now came forward, and, taking Pierrette's hand, said in her
gay, kindly manner:--
"You see, my child, there was no other way in which you could honourably
earn your _dot_ in a single hour. To-morrow I shall take you back to the
curé of Montreuil, who will, I trust, absolve us both. He will forgive
you for playing in a comedy once in your life."
Here the Queen, with a gracious bow, turned to me. To poor, bewildered,
stupid _me_!
"I hope," said she, "that M. Mathurin will deign to accept Pierrette's
fortune. I have added nothing to it; she has earned it all herself!"
[Illustration: "SHE HAS EARNED IT ALL HERSELF!"]
_The Queer Side of Things._