"But do you know me any better than I know you?"
"No, but with you it is very different."
"And why?"
"Because I am already under deep obligations to you, and yet I ask an even greater favour."
"But how do you know that I will not be very glad to give you the friendship you ask in exchange for yours? You seem to me well worthy of it," said Herminie, who, on her side, was beginning to feel an increasing fondness for Ernestine.
Then, suddenly becoming thoughtful, she added: "Do you know that this is very strange?"
"What, mademoiselle?" asked Ernestine, a little worried by the seriousness of her companion's face.
"We have known each other barely half an hour. I do not know your name, you do not know mine; yet here we are almost exchanging confidences."
"But why should you be surprised to see affection and confidence spring up suddenly between a benefactress and the person obliged, mademoiselle?" asked Ernestine, timidly, almost imploringly, as if fearing Herminie might regret the interest she had manifested in her up to this time. "I am sure nothing could bring two persons together so quickly and so closely as compassion on one side and gratitude on the other."
"I am too anxious to believe you not to yield to your arguments very readily," Herminie answered, half laughingly, half seriously.