They stammered: "Dear, dear child!" She was not, then, in reality bad! Perhaps with affectionate care she could be corrected of this violence of temper which had so alarmed them.
In a tone of entreaty the poor child exclaimed: "Do not send me back to those dreadful people! Oh, do not send me back again!" The husband and wife looked at each other for a few moments.

In fact, since the autumn they had planned taking as an apprentice some young girl who would live with them, and thus bring a little brightness into their house, which seemed so dull without children.

And their decision was soon made.
"Would you like it, my dear ?" Hubert asked.
Hubertine replied quietly, in her calm voice: "I would indeed." Immediately they occupied themselves with the necessary formalities.
The husband went to the Justice of Peace of the northern district of Beaumont, who was cousin to his wife, the only relative with whom she had kept up an acquaintance, and told him all the facts of the case.

He took charge of it, wrote to the Hospice of Abandoned Children--where, thanks to the registered number, Angelique was easily recognised--and obtained permission for her to remain as apprentice with the Huberts, who were well known for their honourable position.
The Sub-Inspector of the Hospice, on coming to verify the little book, signed the new contract as witness for Hubert, by which the latter promised to treat the child kindly, to keep her tidy, to send her to school and to church, and to give her a good bed to herself.

On the other side, the Administration agreed to pay him all indemnities, and to give the child certain stipulated articles of clothing, as was their custom.
In ten days all was arranged.