A voice replied at once from within the room:

"Oh! let her come in, show her in at once! I am waiting so impatiently for her!"

Comtois let Louise pa.s.s him; she stepped forward, trembling and afraid to raise her eyes; but she soon felt rea.s.sured when young Ernestine exclaimed:

"Oh! how pretty she is! I like her very much!--Come, mademoiselle; don't be afraid of me; I am not a bit terrible, am I, Comtois? I am not stern, like mamma! But, for all that, mamma's very kind, and papa too.--What is your name?"

"Louise, mademoiselle."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen, mademoiselle."

"Seventeen! Why, how tall you are! and so strong! I am fifteen--I am rather small for fifteen, am I not?"

Louise could not help smiling; and as she looked at her who was to be her mistress, she felt a thrill of joy at the aspect of that dainty creature, so like a child, whose sparkling blue eyes were fixed on hers with a kindly expression that instantly dissipated the terror that she had felt on entering.

"Am I not very small for fifteen?" repeated Ernestine, after Louise had looked at her.

"You still have plenty of time to grow, mademoiselle."

"Oh, yes! that is my only consolation. Have you been in service in Paris before?"

"No, mademoiselle, I am just from my village; I have never been in service anywhere, and I have no doubt that I shall be very awkward at first; but I promise to pay close attention to whatever you tell me, so that I may learn quickly and be able to satisfy you sooner."

Young Ernestine began to leap and dance about the room; she seized Louise's hand and pressed it, crying:

"Oh! I like to hear you talk like that! I feel that I shall love you dearly; indeed I love you already. I either like a person instantly, or never! You will like me too, won't you?"

"That cannot be very difficult, mademoiselle, you seem so kind and sweet!"

"Ah! I am very happy, Comtois. But has Louise brought her bundle, all her clothes? Can she stay here now?"

"Yes, mademoiselle," said Louise, "I have brought all my clothes and I can stay with you now, if you care to keep me."

"Certainly; I don't mean to let you go.--Comtois, see that her chamber is prepared--the little one behind mine, you know. Be sure that she has everything that she wants or needs."

"Never fear, mademoiselle."

"At all events, I will go myself to see if everything is all right.--You see," continued Ernestine with comical gravity, "during mamma's absence I have to look out for everything and take her place here.--Go, Comtois, and take Louise's things to her room; meanwhile I will take her to my father. Is he in his study?"

"Yes, mademoiselle."

"Come, Louise, don't be afraid; he has rather a stern manner, but he isn't unkind."

"Suppose that monsieur your father should not like me?" murmured Louise timidly; "suppose he should think me too young to be in your service, mademoiselle?"

"Oh! don't worry about that; as soon as I tell him that you suit me, father won't think of sending you away."

Ernestine led the way through her mother's bedroom, then through another smaller room, and knocked at a door, saying:

"It's I, papa."

And Monsieur de Noirmont's sharp voice replied:

"Well! what is it now?"

The pretty minx opened the door of her father's study, pa.s.sed her head only through the opening, and said:

"Are you busy? I have come to introduce someone."

"Who is it?"

"A new lady's maid who has been engaged for me, and who has just arrived."

"The idea of disturbing me for a lady's maid! What have I to do with such matters? Really, Ernestine, you wear out my patience."

"Oh! don't be cross with me, papa! But as mamma is away, you must see my new maid; I can't manage the house all alone!"

"Well! bring her in," rejoined Monsieur de Noirmont in a gentler tone; "where is she? let us have it over."

Ernestine led Louise into the room; the girl cast down her eyes, and felt that she was trembling, for Monsieur de Noirmont's voice was far from being as sweet as his daughter's.

After scrutinizing for some time the village maid who stood before him, Monsieur de Noirmont asked her:

"How old are you?"

Before Louise could reply, little Ernestine exclaimed:

"She is seventeen; isn't she very tall for her age, papa? and isn't she lovely? I like her so much! Her name is Louise; she has never been in service, but I am glad of that, because I can train her according to my ideas."

Monsieur de Noirmont with difficulty restrained a smile, provoked by his daughter's speech.

"It seems to me," he said, "that this girl is too much of a child to be in your service."

"Why so, papa? On the contrary, see how sensible she is! Besides, I tell you that I will train her, and Comtois has had only the best reports of her."

"All right, if she suits you.--What part of the country do you come from?"

"From Gagny, monsieur," replied Louise tremulously.

"Gagny? Why, that is very near Paris. Your parents are laboring people, no doubt?"

"Yes--yes, monsieur," faltered Louise, in an almost unintelligible voice.

"And instead of keeping their daughter at home, they send her out to service in Paris!--However, it seems to be the custom in the country!

and still people extol the morals of the rural districts! But you seem modest and respectable, my girl, and I am glad to believe that your conduct will not belie the promise of your face. Besides, I know Comtois, and I rely upon his prudence. Go, go!"

Monsieur de Noirmont motioned to them to leave him; but his daughter ran to him and kissed him; then she hastened from the room with Louise, and closed the door, saying: