"Enough! That's horrible!" cried Mademoiselle Plouernel, shivering. "Oh, great century! Oh, Grand Monarch! Blessed be the hour when I shall depart from this land, the scene of so many horrors and so many infamies!"
"Is mademoiselle going on a voyage?"
"Yes," answered Bertha with an indefinable smile; "yes, I contemplate undertaking a long voyage."
"May I hope that mademoiselle will keep me near her? I am old, but devoted."
"I know your devotion, good and faithful servitor. It matches Marion, my nurse's. Nevertheless, I could hardly think of taking you with me, either you, or her."
"Is it possible!" exclaimed the old man, tears coming to his eyes. "What! Are we not to accompany mademoiselle? But, good God! I may ask without presuming too much, where will mademoiselle find more faithful servants, or more devoted to her? We must implore mademoiselle to keep us near her, in her service."
"Can you imagine that, if I were to keep any servants, I would look for others than yourselves?"
"But, mademoiselle," persisted Du Buisson, stupefied, "mademoiselle can not think of traveling alone!"
"Exactly! That surprises you? I can well understand that it does. And yet, it is so. I need not add that I shall provide for your old age, my good Du Buisson."
"Oh, I hope mademoiselle does not think that my private interest—is what concerns me—"