"Then they'll kill him," said the girl. "Let him stay here with you
till the present storm is over. Paris is still the only place in
France where a man can be hidden safely. Is he a friend of yours?" she
asked.

"No; he has no claim upon me but that of his ill-luck. He came into my
hands in this way. My father-in-law, who returned to the army during
the campaign, met this young fellow, and very cleverly rescued him
from the claws of those who captured Labedoyere. He came here to
defend the general, foolish fellow!"

"Do you call him that!" cried Ginevra, casting a glance of
astonishment at the painter, who was silent for a moment.

"My father-in-law is too closely watched to be able to keep him in his
own house," he resumed. "So he brought him to me, by night, about a
week ago. I hoped to keep him out of sight in this corner, the only
spot in the house where he could be safe."

"If I can be useful to you, employ me," said Ginevra. "I know the
Marechal de Feltre."

"Well, we'll see," replied the painter.

This conversation lasted too long not to be noticed by all the other
girls. Servin left Ginevra, went round once more to each easel, and
gave such long lessons that he was still there at the hour when the
pupils were in the habit of leaving.