my work; and my will is good. If I am too small, it is not my fault. Surely, some one has thrown a spell over me."
"How do you live?"
"In a lodging-house. I do all the chambers, and I mend the linen. They give me a mattress in the garret, and a meal in the morning."
There were some, then, that were more unfortunate than myself! This egoistic thought brought back the pity that had vanished from my heart.
"Listen, my little Louise," I said, in a voice which I tried to make as tender and convincing as possible. "Places in Paris are very hard. One has to know many things, and the masters are more exacting than elsewhere. I am much afraid for you. If I were you, I would go home again."
But Louise became frightened.
"No, no," she exclaimed, "never! I do not want to go home. They would say that I had not succeeded, that nobody wanted me; they would laugh at me too much. No, no, it is impossible; I would rather die!"
Just then the door of the ante-room opened. The shrill voice of Mme. Paulhat-Durand called:
"Mademoiselle Louise Randon!"
"Are they calling me?" asked Louise, frightened and trembling.
"Why, yes, it is you. Go quickly, and try to succeed this time."
