"J'espère que Mademoiselle a été contente de moi, jusqu' à present," returned Annette, vexed with her own awkwardness, and speaking in the manner in which it is usual to announce an intention to quit a service.
"Certainly, Annette, you have conducted yourself well, and are very expert in your métier. But why do you ask this question, just at this moment?"
"Parceque--because--with mademoiselle's permission, I intended to ask for my congé."
"Congé! Do you think of quitting me, Annette?"
"It would make me happier than anything else to die in the service of mademoiselle, but we are all subject to our destiny"--the conversation was in French--"and mine compels me to cease my services as a femme de chambre."
"This is a sudden, and for one in a strange country, an extraordinary resolution. May I ask, Annette, what you propose to do?"
Here, the woman gave herself certain airs, endeavoured to blush, did look at the carpet with a studied modesty that might have deceived one who did not know the genus, and announced her intention to get married, too, at the end of the present month.
"Married!" repeated Eve--"surely not to old Pierre, Annette!" "Pierre, Mademoiselle! I shall not condescend to look at Pierre. Je vais me marier avec un avocat."
"Un avocat!"
"Oui, Mademoiselle. I will marry myself with Monsieur Aristabule Bragg, if Mademoiselle shall permit."