"My mother insists on my leaving the studio. The young ladies say that
you have some intrigue, and that Monsieur Servin allows the young man
whom you love to stay in the dark attic. I have never believed these
calumnies nor said a word to my mother about them. But last night
Madame Roguin met her at a ball and asked her if she still sent me
here. When my mother answered yes, Madame Roguin told her the
falsehoods of those young ladies. Mamma scolded me severely; she said
I must have known it all, and that I had failed in proper confidence
between mother and daughter by not telling her. Oh! my dear Ginevra!
I, who took you for my model, oh! how grieved I am that I can't be
your companion any longer."

"We shall meet again in life; girls marry--" said Ginevra.

"When they are rich," signed Laure.

"Come and see me; my father has a fortune--"

"Ginevra," continued Laure, tenderly. "Madame Roguin and my mother are
coming to see Monsieur Servin to-morrow and reproach him; hadn't you
better warn him."

A thunderbolt falling at Ginevra's feet could not have astonished her
more than this revelation.

"What matter is it to them?" she asked, naively.

"Everybody thinks it very wrong. Mamma says it is immoral."

"And you, Laure, what do you say?"