"No," declared the young lady.
Celine turned the key in the lock, and coming nearer to Elinor, whispered softly:
"What will you give me, Miss Glenalvan, if I will have the girl driven out under a disgraceful ban this very night?"
"Can you do it?" inquired Elinor, eagerly.
"Easily," was the confident reply, "if you will make it worth my while to do so."
Elinor revolved the words a moment in her mind. She saw that Celine's services would have to be amply requited, otherwise the selfish creature would not trouble herself to help her out of her difficulty.
"You know I am not well off, Celine," she said, "but father has promised to send me some money this month to buy my winter outfit. To tell the truth I shall need every cent of it, for I've scarcely a decent thing to wear this winter, but if you will get the girl away before Mr. Chesleigh sees her, I will divide my allowance with you."
"How much money has your father agreed to send you?" inquired the rapacious woman.
"Three hundred dollars," replied Elinor, "and I will give you one-half of it if you will do me this service."
She felt as if she making a very liberal offer, and was surprised when the Frenchwoman shook her head.