"But, mademoiselle, even ignoring the convenances of the fashionable world, the overtures you ask from a lady of Madame de Senneterre's age—"
But again interrupting Olivier, the girl said, with a bitter smile:
"If I belonged to the fashionable world of which you speak, monsieur,—if I had a mother and relatives, instead of being a poor orphan,—and M. de Senneterre desired my hand in marriage, would it not be according to the rules of propriety you spoke of just now that Madame de Senneterre should be the first to approach my mother or my relatives in her son's behalf?"
"Certainly, mademoiselle, but—"
"I have no mother, and I have no relatives," continued Herminie, sadly. "To whom, then, if not to me, should Madame de Senneterre address herself in relation to my marriage?"
"One word, mademoiselle, Madame de Senneterre might do this if she approved of the marriage."
"And that is precisely why I ask it, M. Olivier."
"But Gerald's mother does not even know you, mademoiselle."
"If Madame de Senneterre has such a poor opinion of her son as to believe him capable of choosing a wife unworthy of him, she can make all needful inquiries in relation to me. Thank God, I have nothing to fear."
"That is true," said Olivier, who had exhausted all his arguments.