"No, Monsieur," replied the girl sadly.
"But forgive me, I am taking up your time uselessly instead of coming to the purpose of my visit."
"My time could not be better employed than in listening to you, my child; for I am sure you are a good and honest girl. Now let us see about the letter. Will you merely state what you wish to write, or do you prefer to dictate to me?"
"I prefer to dictate the letter."
"Very well, I am ready," declared the old man, adjusting his glasses and bending over his desk that he might not increase his pretty client's confusion.
With down-cast eyes, and after a moment of hesitation, Mariette began:
"Monsieur Louis—"
At the name of Louis the old man started, but said quietly: "It is written, my child."
Nothwithstanding her confidence in the old man, the girl instinctively shrank from revealing her inmost thoughts to a stranger. But after a momentary pause, she went on hesitatingly:
"I have received no word from you, and I am very sad. Yet, you had promised to write during your voyage—"