Still she
did not hesitate nor even murmur. M. de Valorsay's orders bound
her to Marguerite, and she deemed it fortunate that she was
allowed to follow her. And whether the marquis succeeded or not,
he had promised her a sufficiently liberal reward to compensate
for all personal discomfort. So, in the sweetest of voices, and
with a feigned humility of manner, she declared this little room
to be even much too good for a poor widow whose misfortunes had
compelled her to abdicate her position in society.
The attentions which M. and Madame de Fondege showed her
contributed not a little to her resignation. Without knowing
exactly what the General and his wife expected from Mademoiselle
Marguerite, she was shrewd enough to divine that they hoped to
gain some important advantage. Now her "dear child" had declared
her to be a trusted friend, who was indispensable to her existence
and comfort. "So these people will pay assiduous court to me,"
she thought. And being quite ready to play a double part as the
spy of the Marquis de Valorsay, and the Fondege family, and quite
willing to espouse the latter's cause should that prove to be the
more remunerative course, she saw a long series of polite
attentions and gifts before her.
That very evening her prophecies were realized; and she received a
proof of consideration which positively delighted her.
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