CHAPTER XXIII
MADAME JOZAIN CALLS UPON MAM’SELLE DIANE
It was somewhere about the time that Paichoux bought the watch when Mam’selle Diane was surprised one morning by a visit from Madame Jozain, who entered the little green gate with an air of haughty severity and insolent patronage that was insufferable; and she had evidently come on business, for, after the first formalities had passed between them, she drew a well-filled purse from her pocket and asked in a lofty tone if Mam’selle Diane had her bill prepared.
“My bill, Madame Jozain? What bill?” said Mam’selle Diane, looking at her with cold surprise. “I am not aware that you owe me anything.”
“I owe you for teaching Lady Jane music; you’ve been giving her lessons now for some months, and I’m sure you must need your money.”
“Oh, Madame,” gasped Mam’selle Diane, “you are laboring under a mistake. I never thought of receiving money for the pleasure I have had with the child. I offered to teach her. It was my own offer. You surely did not think that I expected to be paid?”
“I certainly did. Why should you teach her for nothing when I am able to pay?” returned madame haughtily, while she fingered her roll of notes. “In your circumstances you can’t afford to throw away your time, and I’m quite willing to pay you the usual price. You’re a very good teacher, and I’m very well satisfied with the child’s progress.”
For a moment, Mam’selle Diane was quite overcome by the woman’s insolence. Then, remembering that she was a d’Hautreve, she drew herself up, and said calmly and without the least hauteur, “I regret, Madame, that you thought me a teacher of music. I make no claim to any professional knowledge, therefore I could not take the pay of a teacher. I thank you very much, but I am not a teacher.”
“It doesn’t matter. I insist on paying you.” And madame held out a bank-note for such a large amount that Mam’selle Diane’s eyes were fairly dazzled.
“I assure you it is impossible,” said Diane gently. “It is useless to discuss the matter. Will you permit me to open the gate for you?”
“Very well, then,” exclaimed madame, hotly. “I sha’n’t allow my niece to come here again. I won’t accept favors from any one. She shall have a teacher that isn’t too proud to take pay.”