"Céline," she said, abruptly. "Why did you pretend to answer a ring this morning, when your mistress came down to the little parlor?"
"I trust madame was not offended," deprecatingly.
"No, no," impatiently; "but I want to understand you."
"Madame shall. Madame must know that my mistress is not always smooth in temper?"
"Yes," laughing wickedly.
"This morning she bade me admit the gentleman, tell him she was in the grounds, and then come to her. He came, and almost immediately saw you, madame, walking on the terrace."
"Stop. How did he act when he saw me, Céline?"
The girl looked at her in apparent hesitation. "Madame will not be angry with me?"
"No, no."
"He looked almost frightened, and took his hat, as if about to go."