She had given me the packet--the packet I had restored to Mademoiselle--the parcel of jewels.

I weighed it in my hands, and my heart grew hard again, for I knew that this was Mademoiselle's doing; that it was she who, mistrusting the effect of Madame's tears and prayers, had armed her with this last weapon--this dirty bribe.

I flung it down on the table among the plates.
'Madame!' I cried ruthlessly, all my pity changed to anger, 'you mistake me altogether! I have heard hard words enough in the last twenty-four hours, and I know what you think of me! But you have yet to learn that I have never done one thing.

I have never turned traitor to the hand that employed me, nor sold my own side! When I do so for a treasure ten times the worth of that, may my hand rot off!' She sank on a seat with a moan of despair; and precisely at that moment M.de Cocheforet opened the door and came in.

Over his shoulder I had a glimpse of Mademoiselle's proud face, a little whiter than of yore, with dark marks under the eyes, but like Satan's for coldness.
'What is this ?' he said, frowning, as his eyes lighted on Madame.
'It is--that we start at eleven o'clock, Monsieur,' I answered, bowing curtly.