But suddenly the duchess, remembering the promise Ernestine had made Olivier, exclaimed anxiously:
"But, Ernestine,—the promise you made M. Olivier yesterday, in my presence!"
"That promise I shall keep," replied Mlle. de Beaumesnil, quietly.
CHAPTER XIX.
ERNESTINE'S APPEAL.
On hearing Mlle. de Beaumesnil speak of a promise which she had made to M. Olivier, and which she intended to keep, M. de Maillefort seemed both surprised and uneasy, especially when the duchess repeated:
"What! the promise made to M. Olivier—"
"Yes, this promise, I repeat, I intend to keep, my dear Herminie. Did you not approve my acceptance of M. Olivier's offer? Did you not regard it as a sure guarantee of happiness to come? Did you not appreciate the great generosity of his offer as much as I did?"
"Yes, Ernestine, but it was to the little embroideress that this offer was made."
"Ah, well, why should M. Olivier's generosity seem less great and less noble now, my dear Herminie? Why should not the guarantee of happiness to come be just as certain?"
"I do not know how to answer you, Ernestine. I feel that you are right, and yet I am conscious of a vague uneasiness in spite of myself. But you must have no secrets from M. de Maillefort. You must tell him all."