“My dear mother, without opening it, I can tell you almost word for word what it contains. Listen: ‘Madame,—Your fate and that of your daughter are so worthy of interest, that I beg you will come to me, incase you should like to undertake the superintendence of my house.’”
“Pray, my dearest, I beseech you, do not give way to vain hopes; the disappointment would be terrible!” said Madame de Fermont, taking the letter.
“Come, dear mamma,” said Claire, smiling, and excited by one of those feelings of certainty so natural to her age, “give me the letter; I have courage to read it!”
“No,” said Madame de Fermont, “I will read it! It is from the Comtesse d’Orbigny.”
“So much the better,” replied Claire.
“We shall see.” And Madame de Fermont read as follows in a trembling voice:
“‘Madame:—M.
