"Most assuredly I do, my dear ward. But this revelation will have to be made to M. Olivier sooner or later, I suppose."
"Of course, and I will attend to it," replied the marquis. "I have a plan. We will talk that over together, by and by, baron, that and certain business matters which young girls understand very little about. Am I not right, my child?" added the marquis, with a smile, turning to Ernestine.
"Perfectly right," answered Mlle. de Beanmesnil, "and whatever you and my guardian may decide, I agree to in advance."
"I need not say, my dear baron, that we must maintain the utmost secrecy in relation to all this until the signing of the marriage contract, which I have my reasons for desiring should precede the publishing of the banns. Day after to-morrow will not be too soon, I suppose. What do you think about it, Ernestine?"
"You can guess my reply, monsieur," answered the young girl, blushing and smiling.
Then she added, hastily:
"But mine will not be the only contract to sign. There is another, isn't there, Herminie?"
"That is for M. de Maillefort to decide," replied Herminie, blushingly.
"I approve most decidedly; but who is to attend to all this rather troublesome business?"
"You, of course, M. de Maillefort. You are so good and kind!" cried Ernestine.