Atsightofhertheeyesoftheoldwomanmoistenedandgrewdimmerthanagehadmadethem;shesmiledstill，butthesmilehadthesweetnessofablessinginit，andnolongerthekindlybanterofhumour。\"Youlovehim，mylittleone？\"shesaid，inasoft，hushedvoice。
\"Ah，madame！\"Margotcouldnotsaymore。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，andturnedtothewall，andweptwithapassionofjoy。
DownintheBerceauthereweregossipswhowouldhavesaid，withwiseshakesoftheirheads，\"Tut，tut！howeasyitistomakebelieveinalittlelovewhenoneisaserving-maid，andhasnotasou，noraroof，norafriendintheworld，andacomelyyouthwell-to-doiswillingtomarryus！\"
ButReineAllixknewbetter。Shehadnotlivedninetyyearsintheworldnottobeabletodiscernbetweentruefeelingandcounterfeit。
Shewastouched，anddrewthetremblingframeofMargotintoherarms，andkissedhertwiceontheclosed，blue-veinedlidsofherblackeyes。