Pray, who are you ?" "I am Lucie, the daughter of the gate-keeper: I have neither brothers nor sisters, and I am fourteen years old.

I am very glad you have no servant with you; I will be your little maid, and I am sure you will be pleased with me." Delighted at this beginning, I sat up in my bed and she helped me to put on my dressing-gown, saying a hundred things which I did not understand.
I began to drink my coffee, quite amazed at her easy freedom, and struck with her beauty, to which it would have been impossible to remain indifferent.

She had seated herself on my bed, giving no other apology for that liberty than the most delightful smile.
I was still sipping my coffee, when Lucie's parents came into my room.
She did not move from her place on the bed, but she looked at them, appearing very proud of such a seat.

The good people kindly scolded her, begged my forgiveness in her favour, and Lucie left the room to attend to her other duties.

The moment she had gone her father and mother began to praise their daughter.
"She is," they said, "our only child, our darling pet, the hope of our old age.