Three days after the letter had
gone, the pair were already asking themselves when she would get
there.
Sylvie perceived in her spurious benevolence towards her poor cousin a
means of recovering her position in the social world of Provins. She
accordingly went to call on Madame Tiphaine, of whose reprobation she
was conscious, in order to impart the fact of Pierrette's approaching
arrival,--deploring the girl's unfortunate position, and posing
herself as being only too happy to succor her and give her a position
as daughter and future heiress.
"You have been rather long in discovering her," said Madame Tiphaine,
with a touch of sarcasm.
A few words said in a low voice by Madame Garceland, while the cards
were being dealt, recalled to the minds of those who heard her the
shameful conduct of old Rogron about the Auffray property; the notary
explained the iniquity.
"Where is the little girl now?" asked Monsieur Tiphaine, politely.
"In Brittany," said Rogron.
"Brittany is a large place," remarked Monsieur Lesourd.
"Her grandfather and grandmother Lorrain wrote to us--when was that,
my dear?" said Rogron addressing his sister.
Sylvie, who was just then asking Madame Garceland where she had bought
the stuff for her gown, answered hastily, without thinking of the
effect of her words:--
"Before we sold the business."
"And have you only just answered the letter, mademoiselle?" asked the
notary.
Pages:
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76