She sprang up as a low knock came to her door, thinking it was he,
come to bid her adieu. It was with a feeling of disappointment she
heard the voice of Dame Tremblay saying, "My Lady, may I enter?"
Caroline ran her fingers through her disordered hair, pressed her
handkerchief into her eyes, and hastily tried to obliterate every
trace of her recent agony. She bade her enter.
Dame Tremblay, shrewd as became the whilom Charming Josephine of
Lake Beauport, had a kind heart, nevertheless, under her old-
fashioned bodice. She sincerely pitied this young creature who was
passing her days in prayer and her nights in weeping, although she
might rather blame her in secret for not appreciating better the
honor of a residence at Beaumanoir and the friendship of the
Intendant.
"I do not think she is prettier than I, when I was the Charming
Josephine!" thought the old dame. "I did not despise Beaumanoir in
those days, and why should she now? But she will be neither maid
nor mistress here long, I am thinking!" The dame saluted the young
lady with great deference, and quietly asked if she needed her
service.
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