"That what?"
"Why, that the time is approaching when you will be a mother.—Oh, no! he will not forget you. He is not like most of the young nobles of the court, I tell you! And as he doesn't come, there must be something to prevent; for he put his hand in mine; that means that he is my friend, that I may rely on him under all circumstances; and he is not the man to break his engagements."
Toward the close of that day, a servant in the Marquis de Marvejols's livery appeared at Master Hugonnet's shop, bearing two large letters sealed with the crest of that noble house.
Ambroisine, who was with her father at the moment, turned pale and began to tremble when the servant entered, for she instantly recognized the livery.
"Master Hugonnet, bath keeper?" said the man, addressing the master of the house.
"That is my name, monsieur; what do you wish?"
"I am instructed to hand you this letter from my master—Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols."
Hugonnet glanced at the letter that was presented to him; he hesitated about taking it, and said to the valet:
"Are you not making a mistake, monsieur; I have not the honor of knowing Monsieur le Marquis de Marvejols, and——"
"Yes, father, yes, it is surely for you," interposed Ambroisine; "take it—take it, I say!"