“If you conduct yourself in a satisfactory manner, and execute faithfully the instructions of which I speak, you will soon leave the princess to enter the service of a young bride; it will be an excellent and lasting situation always on the same conditions. It is, therefore, perfectly understood that you have asked me to recommend you to Madame de Saint Dizier.”
“Yes, mother; I shall remember.”
“Who is this deformed young girl that accompanies you?”
“A poor creature without any resources, very intelligent, and with an education above her class; she works at her needle, but is at present without employment, and reduced to the last extremity. I have made inquiries about her this morning; she has an excellent character.”
“She is ugly and deformed, you say?”
“She has an interesting countenance, but she is deformed.”
The superior appeared pleased at this information, and added, after a moment’s reflection: “She appears intelligent?”
“Very intelligent.”
“And is absolutely without resources?”
“Yes, without any.”