“Oh, nothing! I see. After all, you would have it so. Besides, he had been looking after you a long time already.”
As soon as Henrietta opened her eyes, Papa Ravinet had discreetly withdrawn, in order to leave the ladies, who were about her, time to undress her. Thus she had not seen the man who had saved her, and did not understand the allusions of the old woman.
“Explain, madam, explain!”
“Ah, upon my word! that is not difficult. The man who has pulled you out, who has brought you all these things to make your bed, and kindle a fire; why, that is the second-hand dealer of the fourth story! And he will not stop there, I am sure. Patience, and you will know well enough what I mean.”
It must be borne in mind, that the woman, for fear Henrietta might sell to Papa Ravinet what she had to sell, or for some other reason, had always painted the old man to her in colors by no means flattering.
“What ought I to be afraid of?” asked Henrietta.
The woman hesitated. At last she answered,—
“If I were to tell you, you would repeat it to him when he comes back.”
“No, I promise you.”
“Swear it on your mother’s sacred memory.”