Madame Babette must have had a kind of attachment for the De Crequys--her De Crequys, you understand--Virginie's father, the Count; for, at some risk to herself, she had warned both him and his daughter of the danger impending over them.

But he, infatuated, would not believe that his dear Human Race could ever do him harm; and, as long as he did not fear, Virginie was not afraid.

It was by some ruse, the nature of which I never heard, that Madame Babette induced Virginie to come to her abode at the very hour in which the Count had been recognized in the streets, and hurried off to the Lanterne.

It was after Babette had got her there, safe shut up in the little back den, that she told her what had befallen her father.

From that day, Virginie had never stirred out of the gates, or crossed the threshold of the porter's lodge.