"
Mlle. Lacheneur said not a word. She was greatly surprised, and she did
not attempt to conceal the fact.
"Aunt Medea pretended to know the road," continued Mlle. Blanche, "but
she led me astray; did you not, aunt?"
As usual, the impecunious relative assented, and her niece resumed:
"But at last we are here. I could not, my dearest, resign myself to
hearing nothing from you, especially after all your misfortunes. What
have you been doing? Did my recommendation procure for you the work you
desired?"
Marie-Anne could not fail to be deeply touched by this kindly interest
on the part of her former friend. So, with perfect frankness, and
without any false shame, she confessed that all her efforts had been
fruitless. It had even seemed to her that several ladies had taken
pleasure in treating her unkindly.
But Mlle. Blanche was not listening. A few steps from her stood the
flowers brought from Sairmeuse; and their perfume rekindled her anger.
"At least," she interrupted, "you have here what will almost make you
forget the gardens of Sairmeuse.
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