CHAPTER VII. VILLETTE.

whichshetranslated.ItoldherhowIhadleftmyowncountry,intentonextendingmyknowledge,andgainingmybreadhowIwasreadytoturnmyhandtoanyusefulthing,provideditwasnotwrongordegradinghowIwouldbeachild’s-nurse,oralady’s-maid,andwouldnotrefuseevenhouseworkadaptedtomystrength.Madameheardthisand,questioninghercountenance,Ialmostthoughtthetalewonherear: “Iln’yaquelesAnglaisespourcessortesd’entreprises,”saidshe:“sont-ellesdoncintrépidescesfemmeslà!” Sheaskedmyname,myageshesatandlookedatme—notpityingly,notwithinterest:neveragleamofsympathy,orashadeofcompassion,crossedhercountenanceduringtheinterview.Ifeltshewasnotonetobeledaninchbyherfeelings:graveandconsiderate,shegazed,consultingherjudgmentandstudyingmynarrative.Abellrang. “Voilàpourlaprièredusoir!”saidshe,androse.Throughherinterpreter,shedesiredmetodepartnow,andcomebackonthemorrowbutthisdidnotsuitme:Icouldnotbeartoreturntotheperilsofdarknessandthestreet.Withenergy,yetwithacollectedandcontrolledmanner,Isaid,addressingherselfpersonally,andnotthema?tresse:“Beassured,madame,thatbyinstantlysecuringmyservices,yourinterestswillbeservedandnotinjured:youwillfindmeonewhowillwishtogive,inherlabour,afullequivalentforherwagesandifyouhireme,itwillbebetterthatIshouldstayherethisnight:havingnoacquaintanceinVillette,andnotpossessingthelanguageofthecountry,howcanIsecurealodging?” “Itistrue,”saidshe“butatleastyoucangiveareference?” “None.” Sheinquiredaftermyluggage:Itoldherwhenitwouldarrive.Shemused.Atthatmomentaman’sstepwasheardinthevestibule,hastilyproceedingtotheouterdoor.(IshallgoonwiththispartofmytaleasifIhadunderstoodallthatpassedforthoughitwasthenscarceintelligibletome,Iheardittranslatedafterwards). “Whogoesoutnow?”demandedMadameBeck,listeningtothetread. “M.Paul,”repliedtheteacher.“Hecamethiseveningtogiveareadingtothefirstclass.” “TheverymanIshouldatthismomentmostwishtosee.Callhim.” Theteacherrantothesalondoor.M.Paulwassummoned.Heentered:asmall,darkandspareman,inspectacles. “Moncousin,”beganMadame,“Iwantyouropinion.Weknowyourskillinphysiognomyuseitnow.Readthatcountenance.” Thelittlemanfixedonmehisspectacles:Aresolutecompressionofthelips,andgatheringofthebrow,seemedtosaythathemeanttoseethroughme,andthataveilwouldbenoveilforhim. “Ireadit,”hepronounced. “Etqu’enditesvous?” “Mais—biendeschoses,”wastheoracularanswer. “Badorgood?” “Ofeachkind,withoutdoubt,”pursuedthediviner. “Mayonetrustherword?” “Areyounegotiatingamatterofimportance?” “Shewishesmetoengageherasbonneorgouvernantetellsatalefullofintegrity,butgivesnoreference.” “Sheisastranger?” “AnEnglishwoman,asonemaysee.” “ShespeaksFrench?” “Notaword.” “Sheunderstandsit?” “No.” “Onemaythenspeakplainlyinherpresence?” “Doubtless.” Hegazedsteadily.“Doyouneedherservices?” “Icoulddowiththem.YouknowIamdisgustedwithMadameSvini.” Stillhescrutinized.Thejudgment,whenitatlastcame,wasasindefiniteaswhathadgonebeforeit. “Engageher.Ifgoodpredominatesinthatnature,theactionwillbringitsownrewardifevil—ehbien!macousine,ceseratoujoursunebonneoeuvre.”Andwithabowanda“bonsoir,”thisvaguearbiterofmydestinyvanished. AndMadamedidengagemethatverynight—byGod’sblessingIwassparedthenecessityofpassingforthagainintothelonesome,dreary,hostilestreet.