The dame set her candles on the table
and stood with her hands across her apron in a submissive attitude,
waiting the orders of her master.
"Dame!" said he, "I think you are a faithful servant. I have
trusted you with much. Can I trust you with a greater matter
still?"
"Oh, your Excellency! I would die to serve so noble and generous a
master! It is a servant's duty!"
"Few servants think so, nor do I! But you have been faithful to
your charge respecting this poor lady within, have you not, dame?"
Bigot looked as if his eyes searched her very vitals.
"O Lord! O Lord!" thought the dame, turning pale. "He has heard
about the visit of that cursed Mere Malheur, and he has come to hang
me up for it in the gallery!" She stammered out in reply, "Oh, yes!
I have been faithful to my charge about the lady, your Excellency!
I have not failed wilfully or negligently in any one point, I assure
you! I have been at once careful and kind to her, as you bade me to
be, your Excellency. Indeed, I could not be otherwise to a live
angel in the house like her!"
"So I believe, dame!" said Bigot, in a tone of approval that quite
lifted her heart.
Pages:
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864