“On the ground of charity there are no enemies, only competitors as to who shall do the most good.”
“You are quite right, mademoiselle,” replied the old man, with a bow. “And I will immediately put your precept into practice.”
Leaning towards the nun, he asked calmly—
“How much for the contents of the stall?”
“My dear sir,” stammered Madame Sainte-Alix, astonished.
“Is two thousand francs enough?”
“Oh, that’s nothing! I will give four thousand!”
And Count Cesare Agostini, smiling and elegant, appeared by the side of Mademoiselle Lichtenbach.
“Our father has sent me to you, mademoiselle,” he said, with a bow. “He will be here in a moment, and, really, he would not have tolerated that any one should rob you of the honour of your generosity at so moderate a price.”
Glancing around at those present, and recognizing Marcel he affected a joyful surprise.