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But there were some faces that were not exactly radiant. The two nephews certainly looked very glum when, after the ceremony, they came up to their cousin to offer their congratulations. "As for me," said Talouel, who did not mean to lose any time in paying court to the young heiress, "I had always supposed...." The excitement of the day proved too much for M. Vulfran. The doctor was called in.
Most of the talk was rather vague to Perrine, not knowing the persons to whom it applied, but she soon gathered that "Skinny", "Judas", and "Sneak" were all one and the same man, and that man was Talouel, the foreman. The factory hands evidently considered him a bully; they all hated him, yet feared him. "Let's go to sleep," at last said one. "Yes, why not?" "La Noyelle hasn't come in yet."
He wants to own the place, and he'll get it if he can." "Yes, and who knows? Maybe he had a hand in keeping M. Edmond away. Neither of us were here at the time, but you might be sure that Talouel would work out things to his own interests." "I hadn't thought of that." "Yes, and at that time he didn't know that there'd be others to take the place of M. Edmond.
"Well, how is the translation of that letter from Dacca coming along?" he asked. "I have only just commenced it," replied Perrine timidly. "M. Theodore interrupted you just now. What did he want?" "A French and English dictionary." "What for? He doesn't know English." "He did not tell me why he wanted it." "Did he want to know what was in the letter?" asked Talouel.
"I may as well tell you that for a long time I have wanted someone intelligent to be near me, one who is discreet and whom I can trust. This young girl seems to have these qualities. I am sure that she is intelligent, and I have already had the proof that I can trust her." M. Vulfran's tone was significant. Talouel could not misunderstand the sense of his words.
At the foot of the office steps Talouel was there ready to receive him and help him to alight. "I suppose you felt strong enough to come?" he said, in a sympathetic voice which contrasted with the flash in his eyes. "I did not feel at all strong, but I came because I thought that I ought to come," said his employer. "That is what I meant ... I...."
"She will work here in my office; during the day she will accompany me; she will eat at my table. I shall not be so lonesome at my meals, for her chatter will entertain me." "I suppose she will give you all the satisfaction that you expect," remarked Talouel suavely. "I suppose so also," replied his employer, very drily.
"Monsieur," she said, "here's a friend of mine who wants a job." Talouel glanced sharply at the friend. "In a moment ... we'll see," he replied curtly. Rosalie, who knew what to do, signed to Perrine to stand aside and wait. At this moment there was a slight commotion at the gates, and the crowd drew aside respectfully to allow Monsieur Paindavoine's carriage to pass.
If it was a matter of helping Mombleux with a translation, why should she have to go to the office, where everyone could see her and know that he had had to ask for her help? She quickly went up the steps, where she saw Talouel standing outside waiting for her. "Are you the girl who speaks English?" he asked. "Now, no lies, 'cause you speak French without an accent."
It will be at my expense and I shall be there." Talouel jumped. "And let everyone know," continued M. Vulfran, "that all who wish to go to the church tomorrow, can take the time off. This fire is a great misfortune." "We are not responsible for it," said Talouel. "Not directly ... no," said M. Vulfran. Perrine had another surprise the next morning.
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