"Sleep well, my dear Ernestine, and pray to the Saviour that he will not allow the face of that frightful M. de Maillefort to trouble your dreams."
"I really don't know why it is, mademoiselle, but he almost terrifies me."
"The feeling is very natural," replied the devotee, gently; "more natural than you suppose, for if you knew—"
As Helena paused, the young girl said:
"You did not finish, mademoiselle."
"There are some things which it pains one to say against one's neighbour, even though he may deserve it," remarked the devotee, with a saintly air. "This M. de Maillefort—"
"Well, mademoiselle?"
"I am afraid of paining you, my dear Ernestine—"
"Go on, I beg of you, mademoiselle."
"Ah, well, as you insist, I am compelled to tell you that this Marquis de Maillefort has always been one of your mother's bitterest enemies."