“But if it is all hypocrisy, if I find you a serpent that I have warmed in my bosom, you will be a wicked girl, an infamous creature!”
“I think I have nothing to reproach myself with,” said Pierrette, with a painful revulsion of her heart at the sudden change from unexpected praise to the tones of the hyena.
“You know that to lie is a mortal sin?”
“Yes, cousin.”
“Well, you are now under the eye of God,” said the old maid, with a solemn gesture towards the sky; “swear to me that you did not know that peasant.”
“I will not swear,” said Pierrette.
“Ha! he was no peasant, you little viper.”
Pierrette rushed away like a frightened fawn terrified at her tone. Sylvie called her in a dreadful voice.
“The bell is ringing,” she answered.
“Artful wretch!” thought Sylvie. “She is depraved in mind; and now I am certain the little adder has wound herself round the colonel. She has heard us say he was a baron. To be a baroness! little fool! Ah! I’ll get rid of her, I’ll apprentice her out, and soon too!”