Good-by, my dear.

Come, Aunt Medea." She departed, leaving Marie-Anne petrified with surprise, sorrow, and indignation.
Although less experienced than Mlle.

Blanche, she comprehended that this strange visit concealed some mystery--but what?
For more than a minute she stood motionless, gazing after her departing guests; then she started suddenly as a hand was laid gently upon her shoulder.
She trembled, and, turning quickly, found herself face to face with her father.
Lacheneur's face was whiter than his linen, and a sinister light glittered in his eye.
"I was there," said he, pointing to the door, "and--I heard all." "Father!" "What! would you try to defend her after she came here to crush you with her insolent good fortune--after she overwhelmed you with her ironical pity and with her scorn?
I tell you they are all like this--these girls, whose heads have been turned by flattery, and who believe that in their veins flows a different blood from ours.

But patience! The day of reckoning is near at hand!" Those whom he threatened would have shuddered had they seen him at that moment, so terrible was the rage revealed by his accent, so formidable did he appear.
"And you, my beloved daughter, my poor Marie-Anne, you did not understand the insults she heaped upon you.

You are wondering why she should have treated you with such disdain.