In spite of her courage, Herminie felt the tears rush to her eyes on uttering her mother's name, but making a violent effort to conquer her emotion, she held out the bank-note enclosed in an envelope, bearing this address:
For Mlle. Herminie,
Singing Teacher.
"She Held Out the Bank-note"
"Ah, yes, it was you, mademoiselle, who used to play and sing for Madame de Beaumesnil."
"Yes, madame."
"I recollect now that the family council decided that five hundred francs should be sent to you for your services. It was considered that this amount—"
"Would be a suitable, sufficient, and satisfactory remuneration," added the baron, sententiously.
"And if it is not, the complaint should be made to the notary, not to us," added the baroness.