"Besides, have you not proved that nothing is impossible to you?" added Herminie.
"Oh, as for the impossibilities achieved, when I think of the scene at your home this morning, you, my dear child, are the one who deserves praise, not I."
On hearing these words, M. de la Rochaiguë, who had seemed to be hardly aware of Herminie's presence before, turned to her, and said:
"Pardon me, my dear young lady; my attention has been so engrossed by what has just occurred that—"
"M. de la Rochaiguë," said Ernestine, taking Herminie by the hand, "I wish to present to you my dearest friend, or, rather, my sister, for no two sisters could love each other more devotedly than we do."
"But," said the baron, greatly surprised, "if I am not very much mistaken, mademoiselle—mademoiselle is the music teacher we selected for you on account of the extreme delicacy of her conduct in relation to a perfectly just claim upon the Beaumesnil estate."
"You still have some very remarkable things to learn in relation to Mlle. Herminie, my dear baron," said the marquis.
"Indeed? And what are they, may I ask?"
"In the conversation which you and I must have, presently, I will answer your question fully; but now I am sure it will suffice you to know that your ward has placed her friendship as wisely as her love; for I can truly say that the person who would select M. Olivier Raymond for a husband would be certain to select Mlle. Herminie for a friend."
"M. de Maillefort is right," said Mlle. de Beaumesnil, twining her arm affectionately about her friend's waist; "both these greatest blessings came to me the same evening at Madame Herbaut's little party."