"Noticed what, pray?"
"This pretty flower girl—for she is pretty, is she not, madame?"
"Yes, very pretty indeed; well?"
"Why, madame, she looks like you, yes, she looks very much like you!"
"Do you think so?—Yes, there is in fact something in her features, in her mouth—but I used to be prettier than she is!"
Violette blushed, and was sorely embarrassed when she saw that the mistress and the maid were staring at her. As they said nothing more to her, she curtsied again and murmured:
"Has madame any further orders for me?"
"No, mademoiselle.—By the way, I will ask you, if you see this gentleman again, to thank him a thousand times for me, and to tell him, that, in spite of the mystery in which he envelops himself, I recognize him none the less, and I should be very glad to see him, in order to express in person all my gratitude; can you remember all that, my girl?"
"Oh! yes, madame, I have a good memory; I shan't forget anything, I promise you."
"Very good.—It is certain that there is a something about you—how old are you?"