But Michael's clumsy utterances had aroused all Madame's sleeping suspicions. There was no reason why she should keep silence.
She laughed in Michael's face.
"It was hardly necessary for your master to give you any orders, seeing that he gave certain instructions to me. He said that since there was no other woman in the house it would be my place to take Mademoiselle anything that she actually needed. I am going to take up her breakfast now. Give me the key."
Michael hesitated a moment, but finally handed over the key. Madame put it on the breakfast tray and went upstairs.
Natalie, as she heard the bolts drawn back and the key turned in the lock, suffered fresh apprehension. For she had caught the rustle of Madame's skirts outside, and she would rather have faced Boris than the woman.
With very little apology Madame Estelle entered, and, setting the breakfast down, immediately withdrew.
In half an hour's time she went up for the tray, and then she faced Natalie boldly and looked her in the eyes.
"Mademoiselle," she said, "I am really ashamed to meet you here in such a way. I will not ask you to forgive me, for you will not understand. I can only tell you that I am a very loving and also a very jealous woman."
Madame Estelle paused, and was conscious that Natalie looked at her in great surprise.
"I want," she continued, "to ask you a question which means much to me. Is it, or is not, one of Boris Ivanovitch's conditions that you shall marry him?"