My future! What
could it be with the Count de Chalusse? It was painted in such
brilliant colors that it frightened me. Why had the count chosen
me in preference to any of the other girls? Was it really chance
which had decided him in his choice? On reflecting, the miracle
seemed to me to have been prepared in advance, and I fancied that
it must conceal some mystery. More than this, the thought of
yielding myself up to a stranger terrified me. Forty-eight hours
had been granted me to consider my decision, and till the very
last instant I remained in doubt. Who knows? Perhaps it would
have been better for me if I had returned to my humble life. At
all events, I should have been spared a great deal of sorrow and
humiliation. But I lacked the courage; and when the time expired,
I consented to the new arrangement.
"Should I live a thousand years I shall never forget the day I
left the foundling asylum to become the Count de Chalusse's ward.
It was a Saturday, and I had given my answer to the superior on
the evening before. The next morning I received a visit from my
former employers, who, having been informed of the great change in
my prospects, had come to bid me good-bye. The cancelling of my
apprenticeship had at first caused some trouble, but eventually
the count's gold silenced their objections. Still, they were
sorry to part with me, as I plainly saw. Their eyes were moist
with tears. They were sorry to lose the poor little servant who
had served them so faithfully.
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