"And ever since that time you have—?"
Madame de Beaumesnil hastily checked herself, then added, with no little embarrassment:
"I am really ashamed of my inquisitiveness—nothing but the deep interest I take in you could excuse it, mademoiselle."
"The questions madame la comtesse deigns to address to me are evidently so kindly meant that I am only too glad to answer them in all sincerity."
"Well, then, with whom did you make your home after leaving school?"
"With whom did I make my home, madame?"
"Yes; I mean with what persons?"
"I had no one to go to, madame."
"No one?" exclaimed Madame de Beaumesnil, with truly heroic courage. "You had no relatives? No family?"
"I have no relatives, madame la comtesse," replied Herminie, with a courage equal to that of her mother. "I have no relatives."