"A serenade!" said Sylvie, mimicking her; "and you've a lover, too."
"What is a lover, cousin?"
Sylvie avoided answering, and said:—
"Do you dare to tell me, mademoiselle, that a man did not come under your window and talk to you of marriage?"
Persecution had taught Pierrette the wariness of slaves; so she answered bravely:—
"I don't know what you mean,—"
"Who means?—your dog?" said Sylvie, sharply.
"I should have said 'cousin,'" replied the girl, humbly.
"And didn't you get up and go in your bare feet to the window?—which will give you an illness; and serve you right, too. And perhaps you didn't talk to your lover, either?"
"No, cousin."