"What is the matter?" she asked, as her governess entered.
"I have some good news for mademoiselle. My hands are all bloody, you see, but that doesn't matter."
"I see," cried Ernestine, greatly alarmed. "What has happened? How did you hurt yourself so? Here, take this handkerchief and stanch the blood."
"Oh, it's but a mere scratch, mademoiselle," replied the governess, heroically. "In your service, I would brave death itself."
This exaggeration cooled Mlle. de Beaumesnil's compassion very considerably, and she replied:
"I believe in your courageous devotion, of course, but pray bind up your hand."
"If mademoiselle desires it, of course, but this scratch is of no consequence, for the door is open, mademoiselle. I succeeded in prying out the staples of the padlock, and in removing an iron bar that also secured the door, which opens into the street exactly as I supposed."
"You may be sure that I shall reward you, my dear Laîné, for this—"
"Oh, do not speak of rewarding me, I implore you, mademoiselle. Am I not more than paid in the pleasure of serving you? But mademoiselle will excuse me, I hope, for coming back contrary to her orders, but I was so delighted to have succeeded."
"On the contrary I am very grateful for the zeal you have manifested. So you think we can count upon carrying out our plans to-morrow?"