“You have found peace,” continued Madame Desvarennes, looking steadfastly at Jeanne with her piercing eyes. “You see, my dear, when you have a clear conscience—for you have nothing to reproach yourself with?”
Jeanne saw in this sentence a question and not an affirmation. She answered, boldly:
“Nothing!”
“You know that I love you, and would be most lenient,” continued Madame Desvarennes, sweetly, “and that you might safely confide in me!”
“I have nothing to fear, having nothing to tell,” said Jeanne.
“Nothing?” repeated the mistress, with emphasis.
“Nothing,” affirmed Jeanne.
Madame Desvarennes once more looked at her adopted daughter as if she would read her very soul. She found her quite calm.
“Very well, then!” said she, hastily walking toward the door.
“Are you going already?” asked Jeanne, offering her brow to Madame Desvarennes’s lips.