"I know that it is not good will that fails you. For these six months I have been satisfied with you. But this time you have committed a very great mistake."
"Be indulgent, madame! what I do is sufficiently painful!" The girl stifled a sigh.
Mrs. Grivois looked fixedly at her, and said in a sardonic tone:
"Very well, my dear, do not continue it. If you have scruples, you are free. Go your way."
"You well know that I am not free, madame," said Florine, reddening; and with tears in her eyes she added: "I am dependent upon M. Rodin, who placed me here."
"Wherefore these regrets, then?"
"In spite of one's self, one feels remorse. Madame is so good, and so confiding."
"She is all perfection, certainly! But you are not here to sing her praises. What occurred afterwards?"
"The working-man who yesterday found and brought back Frisky, came early this morning and requested permission to speak with my young lady."
"And is this working-man still in her house?"