"'Ah, Denise,' she said, are you going to Geneva?'
"'Yes, my lady.'
"'I shall be there an hour before you; I am going to the post-office to get some letters.' As she said that I could not help glancing at the letter Mdlle. Beatrice had given me, which I held in my hand for safety. 'It is a letter my daughter has given you to post,' she said.
"'Yes, my lady,' I could say nothing else.
"'Give it to me,' she said, 'I know she wants it posted immediately. It does not matter who posts a letter.'
"She said this impatiently and haughtily, for I think I was hesitating. However, I could do nothing but give her the letter, and as I did not suspect anything wrong I said nothing of the adventure to Mdlle. Beatrice, especially as she did not speak of the letter to me. Had she done so, I might have explained that her mother had taken it from me to post, and quite likely--although I hope I am mistaken--the strange and dreadful events that occurred before three years passed by might have been avoided.
"'The old lady was very civil to me after this, and would continually question me about my master.
"'He has a great deal of property?' she asked.
"'Yes, madame.'
"'He is very rich, Denise?'