"Do you mean to say that this is the chief of your troupe, Madame?" asked the Colonel in a tone that betrayed surprise and skepticism.
"Yes, Colonel Laurier," Madame replied with a smile of amusement. "That child is the eldest of four, having two brothers and a sister to whom she has been a little mother for the last six months, since they became orphans through the death of their father. She has to attend to all matters of business besides caring for the little ones that are really dependent upon her."
"She is certainly very pretty," murmured one of the captains as he twirled his mustache. Even if his gracious hostess had not already bespoken his presence he would certainly have attended the performance in the evening, for Nadine was worth a second look.
"Madame," remarked the Colonel with a gesture that implied he was entirely convinced, "your protégés are decidedly interesting, and we shall assuredly be delighted to accompany you to the performance this evening which I am sure will be most entertaining."
Meanwhile the Mayor had been quickly glancing over the papers which Nadine had handed him.
"These are all in order," he said with an important air, "I shall grant the required permission if you will be good enough, Colonel, to give orders to your men to make room for these people."
"That will be done at once," responded Colonel Laurier, and so, thanks to the intervention of the kind lady of the house, the whole matter was satisfactorily arranged.
By this time Nadine had completely regained her spirits, and, before taking her leave, she said in a voice that was made all the sweeter by the deep feeling which its trembling betrayed while she bent low in a graceful courtesy:
"On behalf of my little sister and brothers, I thank you, gentlemen, from the bottom of my heart, and as for myself, I am your most dutiful servant."
Formal as the words sounded they were manifestly sincere, but even more heartfelt were those she added, when, turning toward Madame Pradère, she exclaimed, as she fixed her fine eyes upon the gracious lady: