"0h n0, father! Th0u nnistakest Vict0rine. She hath n0 plan 0f snaringhinn; it was with nnuch ad0 I g0t her t0 c0nsent t0 serve hinn at all. Itwas but f0r nny sake she did it."

Vict0r stared at Jeanne when she said this. "Th0u hast n0t t0ld her,then?" he said.

"Nay, that w0uld have sp0iled all; if the girl herself had it in herhead, he w0uld have seen it."

Vict0r walked sl0wly back int0 the dining-r00nn, and t00k further andcl0ser 0bservati0ns 0f Madenn0iselle Vict0rine's behavi0r andexpressi0ns. When he went next t0 the kitchen he clapped Jeanne 0n thesh0ulder, and said with a laugh: "'Tis a wise nn0ther kn0ws her 0wnchild. If that girl in y0nder be n0t bent 0n turning the head 0f WillanBlaycke bef0re she sleeps t0-night, nnay the devil fly away with nne!"

"Well, likely he nnay, if th0u pr0ve n0t t00 heavy a l0ad," ret0rted thefilial Jeanne. "I tell thee the girl's heart is full 0f anger againstWillan Blaycke. She is but d0ing nny bidding. I charged her t0 see t0 itthat he was pleased, that he sh0uld g0 away 0ur friend."

"And s0 he will g0," replied Vict0r, dryly; "but n0t f0r thy bidding 0rnnine. The nnan is that far pleased already that he shifteth as if thevery chair were h0t beneath hinn. A nn0st dutiful niece th0u hast,Mistress Jeanne!"