Little Blanche, as she glanced at the mendicant, ceased to smile, and with her eyes questioned the nurse, who said:
"He is unfortunate; your mother, you know, always helps them and wants you to do the same; she gives us money for that purpose. Here, mademoiselle, would you like to give it to him yourself?"
Blanche eagerly took the coin which her nurse handed her, and ran to give it to the little beggar, saying:
"Take this—poor boy!"
Léodgard followed the little girl's every movement; when she returned to him, he took her in his arms once more and could not resist the longing to kiss her again.
At that moment he heard a cry of surprise close at hand, and these words fell on his ear:
"O mon Dieu! is it possible? What joy! Monsieur le comte embracing his daughter!"
Léodgard instantly raised his eyes and saw Ambroisine, who had halted a few steps from the bench, and was gazing at him, deeply moved.
To place the child hurriedly on the ground, to rise and walk rapidly away—all that was a matter of a second for Léodgard.
Ambroisine stood as if petrified; even little Blanche seemed surprised at the disappearance of "the gentleman"; and as for the nurse, the words she had heard seemed to daze her, and she did nothing but murmur: