The regent bowed.
"Then, mademoiselle," said he, "consider yourself at home here; I think there is a sleeping-room adjoining this room—the arrangement of the ground-floor is commodious, and this evening I will send you two nuns from the convent, whom, doubtless, you would prefer to servants, to wait on you."
"Ah, yes, monsieur."
"Then," continued the regent, with hesitation, "then you have almost renounced your—father?"
"Ah, monsieur, do you not understand that it is for fear he should not be my father."
"However," replied the regent, "nothing proves it; that house alone is certainly an argument against him but he might not have known it."
"Oh," said Helene, "that is almost impossible."
"However, if he took any further steps, if he should discover your retreat and claim you, or at least ask to see you?"
"Monsieur, we would inform Gaston, and learn his opinion."
"It is well," said the regent, with a smile; and he held out his hand to Helene, and then moved toward the door.