"Why, the man who is paying court to her—that young man who comes to see you sometimes."
"How do you know that, Frédérique?"
"Wonderful cleverness on my part! Did I not meet him one day when he was going to see you?"
"And you guessed that he was in love with Mignonne, simply from seeing him come to my rooms?"
"He has changed greatly, and to his advantage, that young man."
"Ah! you recognized him, did you?"
I watched Frédérique closely, for a multitude of ideas had suddenly rushed into my mind; something told me that Madame Dauberny knew more about Ballangier than she chose to tell me. I think that she must have divined my thoughts, for she rose hastily and said:
"It is getting late, my friend. We start to-morrow—is that settled?"
"I ask nothing better."
"Bring your servant; we have room enough for him. I have only a gardener and my maid there. Will Mignonne come to you to-morrow?"