After respectfully kissing the hand of the superior, the princess went out by the great door, which led to an apartment opening on the principal staircase. Some minutes after, Florine entered the room by another way. The superior was seated and Florine approached her with timid humility.
“Did you meet the Princess de Saint-Dizier?” asked Mother Sainte Perpetue.
“No, mother; I was waiting in the passage, where the windows look out on the garden.”
“The princess takes you into her service from to-day,” said the superior.
Florine made a movement of sorrowful surprise, and exclaimed: “Me, mother! but—”
“I asked her in your name, and you have only to accept,” answered the other imperiously.
“But, mother, I had entreated you—”
“I tell you, that you accept the offer,” said the superior, in so firm and positive a tone that Florine cast down her eyes, and replied in a low voice: “I accept.”
“It is in M. Rodin’s name that I give you this order.”
“I thought so, mother,” replied Florine, sadly; “on what conditions am I to serve the princess?”