It was there that Madame Desvarennes found her, playing, plainly dressed in a little alpaca frock, her pretty hair loose and falling on her shoulders.

She looked astonished at what she had seen; silent, not daring to run or sing as formerly in the great desolate house whence the master had just been taken away forever.
With the vague instinct of abandoned children who seek to attach themselves to some one or some thing, Jeanne clung to Madame Desvarennes, who, ready to protect, and longing for maternity, took the child in her arms.

The gardener's wife acted as guide during her visit over the property.

Madame Desvarennes questioned her.

She knew nothing of the child except what she had heard from the servants when they gossiped in the evenings about their late master.