"May I not be permitted to bring my uncle?" asked Olivier. "There is so much that he wishes to say to you. He will be so anxious to see you, too, that it would hardly be fair to deny him the favour, for there is nothing he wouldn't be capable of doing in order to reach you, and tell you of his joy and gratitude."
"Herminie and I will not force your dear uncle to any extreme measures, for I, myself, am very impatient to see him again, so à bientôt, M. Olivier."
"A bientôt, mademoiselle."
And Olivier departed, leaving the two girls alone together.
Herminie then opened M. de Maillefort's letter. It read as follows:
"It is still to-morrow, Saturday, my dear child, that I shall call to take you to Mlle. de Beaumesnil, only, if agreeable to you, I will come at three in the afternoon, instead of at noon as we agreed.
"A cousin-germain of mine, the Prince Duc de Haut-Martel, the head of our house, has just died in Hungary.
"I received this news through the Austrian ambassador, upon whom I must call early to-morrow morning for some necessary formalities, which, to my great regret, will prevent me from fulfilling my engagement with you as early as I promised.
"I shall see you, then, to-morrow, my dear child,
"Affectionately,
"Maillefort."