"Well, what do you think of my proposition, mademoiselle?"
"I accept it most gratefully, and thank you with all my heart for this chance to free myself of my obligations to you in such an easy way. I assure you that I will do everything possible to further your daughter's progress."
"Oh, that will be all right, I'm sure. It is understood, is it? Three lessons a week, at four francs a lesson, beginning day after to-morrow. That will be twelve francs a week,—better call it ten, I guess,—it's easier to calculate. Ten francs a week makes forty francs a month,—quite a snug little sum."
"Any terms you choose to name will suit me, monsieur. I accept them gratefully."
"Ah, well, my dear sir," said the marquis, turning to M. Bouffard, "aren't you much better satisfied with yourself now than you were awhile ago, when you were frightening this poor child nearly to death by your threats?"
"That's a fact, monsieur,—that's a fact, for this young lady is certainly deserving. Then, too, I shall get rid of that odious music master, with his big, black moustache and fifteen franc lessons. Besides, he is always having his big hands on Cornelia's hands to show her the fingering, he says, and I don't like it."
"My dear M. Bouffard," said the marquis, taking the ex-grocer a little aside, "will you allow me to give you a word of advice?"
"Why certainly, M. le marquis."
"Never give masters to a young girl or a young woman, because sometimes, you see, there is a change of rôles."
"A change of rôles, M. le marquis?" repeated M. Bouffard, wonderingly.