But the voice of the maid soon brought enlightenment.
She had managed the affair cleverly. She had met him in the hall and saluted him so that he had found the courage to address her. And just now he had pressed the envelope, together with a twenty-franc piece, into her hand. He asserted that he had an important communication to make to her mistress, but had never found an opportunity to address himself to her in person.
"Tais-toi donc—on nous entend!"
And from now on nothing was to be heard but whispering and giggling.
Mary felt now a wave of hotness, started from her nape and overflowing her face.
Listening and with beating heart, she sat there.
What in all the world could he have written? For that it was he, she could no longer doubt.
Perhaps he had declared his love and begged for the gift of her hand. A dull feeling of pain, the cause of which was dark to her, oppressed her heart.
And then she smiled—a smile of renouncement, although there was surely nothing here for her to renounce!
And anyhow—the thing was impossible. For she, to whom such an offer is made does not chat with a servant girl. Such an one flees into some lonely place, kneels down, and prays to God for enlightenment and grace in face of so important a step.