"But was not this test necessary to overcome Olivier's scruples, my dear child? Remember, too, that these scruples are probably the most dangerous obstacles you will have to overcome now."
"Alas! that is only too true," said Mlle. de Beaumesnil, sadly.
"Then come, my child, come at once. Herminie shall accompany you. She must be the first to congratulate you."
"Or to console me," added Ernestine, unable to conquer her fears. "But it is better I should know my fate as soon as possible," she continued, resolutely. "Let us go up to my guardian's apartments at once, M. de Maillefort."
Three minutes afterwards, Ernestine, Herminie, and M. de Maillefort were in the baron's parlour, which was separated from his study only by a closely drawn portière, which the hunchback opened a little way in order to inform M. de la Rochaiguë that they were there.
"Very well," replied the baron.
He rang the bell.
"Show M. Olivier Raymond in," he said to the servant who answered the summons, and who almost immediately announced:
"M. Olivier Raymond, sir."
On hearing Olivier enter the adjoining room, Ernestine turned as pale as death, and, seizing with one hand the hand of Herminie, and with the other the hand of M. de Maillefort, she whispered, tremblingly: